"For many years, the common practice has been to have one emergency number for each country," said an official at the command and control center under the general office of the Ministry of Public Security, "And the ministry's plan is to follow the practice of the developed countries." That new number will do away with the 119 you used to have to call for fires and the 122 you called for traffic accidents. So now you know: at some point in the future (unfortunately still unspecified), 110 will be what you should dial. more ›

The first rule that many foreigners hear about doing anything in China is that you will need guanxi - relationships that help you clear the jungly bureaucracy, receive preferential tax treatment, or "free" land. Of course, the follow-up rule that is never stated in polite company is that guanxi means money, a greased palm, a sop, and a board seat. However, as useful as some relationships can be, they frequently outlive their usefulness and become nothing more than baggage. more ›