How is capitalism different in a communist country? The government decides what it will allow, and the market follows. So the rules aren't as defined as they are here and in other developed economies. Cracking the market takes time, energy and money. Companies must:

DO THE HOMEWORK

Every product and service is different, and many must be tailored to Chinese consumers. Clothing sizes, for instance, are different in the United States than in China. Names might not translate properly.

KNOW THE RULES

Even after they understand the market, companies must wind their way through Chinese bureaucracy. The rules are different for every product. For some, it can take as long as a year to get product certification. And it costs as much as $10,000 to register some products.

FIND A PARTNER

China runs on relationships, and Chinese executives often have the contacts to speed transactions.

BE AWARE OF SCAMS

Some Chinese will ask U.S. businesses to fly them to the United States. Or they will ask U.S. companies to pay for expensive dinners or trips to build relationships. Others will ask for bank account or credit card information to facilitate transactions.

GET FINANCIAL, LEGAL ADVICE

Companies need letters of credit with banks to facilitate financial transactions and avoid potential scams. Legal counsel in China can help companies navigate the process and avoid problems. For information on what it takes to trade in China, visit www.export.gov/china.

AWAKENING ECONOMY

China began to get the world's attention in 1979, when a pragmatic generation of leaders enacted economic reforms. They began to open China to foreign companies and investors. Interest in the nation intensified after its inclusion in the World Trade Organization in 2001. To date, the country has attracted more than $623.8 billion in foreign capital, making it one of the world's largest recipients of foreign direct investment.

ABOUT THE SYMBOL

The first character (pronounced 'Zhong' or 'Jhong') means 'middle' or 'central' in Chinese. The second character (pronounced 'guo' or 'gwoh') means 'country.' Together, the characters (Zhongguo) signify 'China.' They are often translated into English as 'the Middle Kingdom.'

SOURCES: U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT, U.S. COMMERCE DEPARTMENT