Foreign entrants are often puzzled by varying types and unique features of players they encounter in China, and often make mistakes by treating the locations in China as homogeneous. This Section helps in developing a better understanding of China's context in terms of its players and locations, and a number of strategies to deal with them in China. Who are the players in China? How do foreign firms identify and differentiate different types of Chinese players? What does subnational location mean in China? How do foreign firms respond to the idiosyncratic natures of different Chinese locations?

The success of doing business in China is influenced by the choices of entry mode. This Section explores the advantages and disadvantages offered by different entry modes, and also the different resources and time commitments required. We also introduce cross-border E-commerce, an increasing and emerging new entry mode. What is entry mode? Why are different entry modes chosen? What are the pros and cons of each entry mode? How do foreign firms choose entry mode? What is cross-border E-commerce in China and how do foreign firms use this new entry mode?

Foreign firms entering and operating in China are no linger merely "foreign investors" but have become "strategic insiders". Such a shift is a response to cope with with China's shifting environments, and also means China strategy as key to foreign firms' overall global success.This Section provides an overarching picture of the shifts in mindset, status, and post-entry strategies. What are the major shifts in the China context? How do foreign firms shift their dominant mindset and post-entry strategies from foreign entrants to strategic insiders?