Chinese Business Community...(8/11)

According to a recent study of the online portal Objectif Chine, more than 3,110 Chinese enterprises exist in Paris, the capital of France...The figure corresponds to around 1.1% of the total number of enterprises in the region. Ranked the fourth biggest foreign business community in Paris, possesses a more energetic businessmen with an average age of 46.83 years-old, which is five years younger than that of the local businessmen. The result of the study is interesting. The Chinese business community is more balanced comparing with the French in terms of the proportion of male (52%) and female (48%) (only 31% of the French entrepreneurs are female). 64.5% of these three thousands companies have been established for less than five years. 532 new Chinese companies have registered in Paris in 2004. In terms of the annual turnover, only 19% of these enterprises could have achieved a figure of 100,000 euros in 2004. On the other hand, 28.6% had an annual running figure of only 50,000 euros. Concerning the domain mix, 40.5% works on commerce, 28% on restaurant business, and 15.7% on industrial businesses.

Observations and implications: The French in general admires the robust development in China but they fear about the threat of the low cost products from China. I guess this does not only reflect the perception of the French but also other European people. Looking at the balance male-female ratio from the research and the turnover volume, it is reckonable that the local Chinese community may engage much in low-end business, and both family members would have to work to get a life in Paris, where it has been ranked one of the most expensive cities in EU. While sustaining a competitive pricing, the quality of Chinese goods and services as well as the respect to property right are the two main issues I believe the Chinese businessmen need to always bear in mind. There has been media coverage on the hygiene standard of the Chinese restaurant in Paris. Quality is of great significance to the loyalty for consumers in France. Infringement is another issue for the Chinese. With regard to the post-quota export invasion for textile products from China to France, the critics from the local manufacturers would be an influential force that projects a confronting image of the Chinese people to the community. The throat-cutting cost and copycat design etc. highlighted in several press articles have drawn people's attention on how China should be position to the community in France. The recent violence in suburban area related to the topic of racial discrimination may be an alarm to the Chinese business community in Paris a need of a rightful image if the 400,000 Chinese community in France would have to live in harmony in the country.