The schedule of day 4 was comprehensive and allowed broad and diverse insights into various aspects of Chinese business. This included: Visiting the Mayor of Suzhou, a visit at Phonak and a Silk Factory, a tour through the Lingering Garden and a canal tour. A reception at SWISSNEX in the evening completed the day.

As for some events the maximum number of participants was limited, our class was split up into 2 groups. The day started for a delegation of the ZHAW and 10 students with an official meeting with the Mayor of the industry park in Suzhou. The main topic of the discussion was about the recruiting model supplying the needed labor for the companies operating in the industry park. This, to our surprise, is done centrally through a government regulated agency. After the talk we had the chance to visit an exhibition about the Industry Park of Suzhou. Meanwhile, the other group of students enjoyed a boat ride on the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal, the longest artificial river in the world with 1’776 km. Continue reading →