Questions, answered.

The primary difference relates to target customers. E-HENG serves foreign companies that have already entered the Chinese market and built their own sales channels and staff, but still need professional assistance in specific fields — like import / export customs clearance and warehousing logistics. E-HENG also acts as a public-relations firm to support companies that lack proper financial / business relations in China but are ready to build robust partnerships.

ChineseAgent is prepared to help foreign companies open the Chinese market — and also to help enterprises not satisfied with their current channels find better ones.

Not exactly. While we offer expert guidance, we focus primarily on marketing, sales, and logistics services — not traditional consulting. Our strength lies in delivering actionable market services tailored to each client's needs, and you are welcome to select all or just part of those services. We don't charge for our advice; instead we hope to help our clients understand the Chinese market better.

That said, we're happy to collaborate with consulting firms — combining our hands-on market execution with their strategic analysis to give clients an integrated offering of market insight and on-the-ground support.

The mode of cooperation depends on the target customer and your business strategy. Through constant dialogue, we decide together how best to help your service or product succeed in China's economic environment.

We believe the biggest difference is the hidden regulations that come with working under the Chinese government. ChineseAgent specialises in ensuring that your entry into China is both lawful and efficient.

Due to China's large population and limited land, foreign companies need a strong sales network to achieve fast entry and secure a larger market share. During expansion, companies often need franchiser assistance to meet their objectives.

However, regulations are not always clear, and franchisers can lack integrity and self-discipline — using "price wars" or selling beyond agreed areas. As a result, finding an experienced, local partner to manage the franchiser is crucial for multinational companies entering China.

We are currently working with a US company whose products are mainly sold to automotive research and design departments. They wished to establish a more comprehensive sales network in China, so we assisted in recruiting technical staff, setting up an office in Shanghai, creating a Chinese website, and jointly participating in the China Automotive Testing Show. We also introduced them to the R&D teams of automotive manufacturers such as SAIC General Motors and FAW-Volkswagen, facilitating technical integration and promotion.

We also work with a Swiss company specialising in innovative sensor technologies. Their products are small, with dispersed orders and relatively low amounts per order. Initially we provided order and sales-management services to save costs; as their China sales grew, we set up safety stock in the bonded area to better meet demand.

With rising domestic demand — particularly in high-technology fields — more and more specialised exhibitions are held in cities like Shanghai, Beijing, and Guangzhou. Exhibitions are a proven starting point for companies that go on to succeed in China.

With products on display, potential clients and distributors can examine the technology closely and discuss their needs directly; with a professional trading presence at the show, many can be assured of pre-sales and after-sales service, leading to orders on-site. Attending also signals to the market that your decision to enter China is determined and long-term — convincing clients you are strong and reliable enough for orders and lasting partnership.

Marketing is always essential for presence in a new market — especially where language and culture can be real barriers. A Chinese website or representative office shows you have a long-term marketing plan, which reassures clients and partners, particularly state-owned enterprises, R&D institutions, universities, and hospitals. A well-managed site on domestic servers also gives users a better experience and earns more traffic.

We believe the problem is not your products — products at exhibitions are generally competitive with proven success in their home markets. But China's business community places great importance on human relationships, and many state-owned enterprises and government departments participate directly in economic activity.

So interest at a show does not guarantee a deal afterwards. It is important to stay in regular contact, in the right circumstances, and to work to please the customer. When exhibitors return home and follow up only by email — with no suitable local person to communicate through — momentum is often lost. Having an experienced local partner to maintain those relationships is what turns interest into orders.