Zhejiang Province, one of China's biggest exporters, has been frazzled by anti-dumping accusations from foreign import countries.

"Why are assiduousness and working hard, considered Chinese virtues, not accepted in foreign countries?" asked puzzled Zhejiang's manufacturers in their meeting with over 80 Chinese diplomats in Hangzhou on Wednesday.

The exporters have been beleaguered by complicated formalities caused by 33 anti-dumping accusations in their exports, which account for 56 percent of the total cases the country received in 2004.

"Our hard work has made it possible for cheap and good-quality shoes to be available on the Spanish market. What is wrong with doing legal business?" asked a shoe maker from Wenzhou City in Zhejiang, who was indignant about the incident that some Spanish burned Chinese shoes last week in protest against Chinese shoe exports.

Facing the disgruntled businessmen, Zhao Jinjun, Chinese ambassador to France, said that as China's economy integrates more closely with the international market, many Chinese manufacturers have chosen to make their businesses more export-oriented.

The diplomats were on a research trip to Zhejiang to better understand the development of local firms and markets, so as to better serve foreign trade diplomatically.

"Chinese businessmen have the courage to explore the overseas market, but most of them are not knowledgeable about politics, economics and cultural backgrounds in the export market," said the ambassador.

He said that cross-cultural misunderstandings can cause conflicts inimical to business.

He advised Chinese businessmen to value traditions, social codes, laws and regulations in the import countries in order to win their trust and respect.

Wu Huachun, Chinese ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said that every country with its own traditions and culture has formulated a series of rules and regulations. If Chinese businessmen wish to do overseas business, they should follow those rules.

Zhejiang businessmen, known for their diligence and endurance, have made Chinese garments, shoes and light industrial products popular on global markets. The province leads China in trade surplus in the first half year, and has been the main defendant in China's counter-anti-dumping law suits overseas.

The diplomats advised Zhejiang exporters to slow down their global market strategy rather than doing business in unfamiliar regions.

Source: Xinhua