Made me wonder if there is some feeling of “too hard basket" mentality about this place.

And how much some of this might apply to people from other countries, maybe.

Sure, the language is different and a bit tricky, and yes, they do have some slightly different customs and well, Ok there is a
certain ‘reputation” that goes with Chinese business people.
Let me digress a bit.
In my brief sojourns thru Asia and to an extent, Russia, it always surprised me the “image” people have of NZ.
Seriously, so many people seem to believe we still cook our food outdoors,… in boiling lakes…, paint our faces and wear
grass skirts.
Some are genuinely surprise when I show them pictures of our cites, complete with tall buildings, traffic jams and the associated
problems that go with a city.
They have a picture of snowy mounts, green fields, blue skies, clear water and golden sandy beaches, oh yea,….. and sheep!
Well, we know it is a little bit from the truth.
Here, in China I am constantly asked; “Do you have such and such in NZ?”
Recently I was asked; “Do you have salted peanuts in NZ?”
And my inevitably positive response elicits the equally inevitable show of surprise.
So maybe the “image” many overseas businesses have of China is also a little wide of the mark in the truth department?
Let’s come back again.

Sure as I said, some differences in language but many Chinese business people either speak English, or have a damn good
translator and as far as etiquette is concerned, well, the same common sense rules apply here as almost anywhere.
Don’t drink too much, don’t insult the host, the country or the political system and be wary of using jokes or humour.
China does observe the same conventions with the hallowed business card as the rest of Asia, it represents the person so treat
it with respect, it is usually given and received with 2 hands and time should be taken to look at [admire] it before putting it
down.
Never ever stick it in your back pocket, at least not in view of the host.
As a Japanese business woman once quipped;
“My card represents my face, sit on my card, you sit on my face.” Hmmmmm!

A quick Google will bring you all sorts of weird and wonderful things on Chinese business etiquette, most no longer true if
indeed it ever was, more of a “political exercise” during the cold war period maybe.
Today, China is open, very open and many Chinese business people are quite savvy with OUR culture and one neat thing
about Chinese culture generally is they are rather more forgiving of errors or blunders than maybe we are.
So if you do put the occasional foot wrong as oft you will, your Chinese hosts will be very gracious in understanding your
difficulties.
And Chinese place great store in “relationships or cooperation”, they are looking for long term gain, not just a quick few quid
profit on a nice little earner Terry!
The other point about this etiquette thing is that as China is rapidly changing, so is business etiquette, what is true on Google
today may not be so tomorrow.
For instance I read that women do not shake hands, yet I know many Chinese business women who do!
So, just be aware, use your nouce, follow your host’s lead, treat them with respect and you can’t go far wrong.

As for certain business practices, yes Chinese are rather good at business and try to get the best deal.
But don’t you also?
One of the major differences is in thinking, we tend to go for a direct outcome, but your Chinese counterpart is more than likely
to take the scenic route.
And anyway, there are a few second hand car dealers in NZ that I won’t be buying my next motor from.
So, sharp practice isn’t just limited to one type of people.