A friend in need is a friend indeed, especially in China. The rising dragon of the East continues to beckon the international business community with its vast opportunities and market, yet baffles with its maze of complex and ever changing regulations, compounded by a unique business culture. RSM members and their clients can benefit greatly by establishing friends and business colleagues in this important region.

Two hundred of RSM McGladrey’s clients had a headstart when they had the opportunity to meet with RSM representatives from China, in the U.S., courtesy of an RSM McGladrey-hosted seminar titled “Doing Business in China - You Need a Friend!”.

The seminar, held in New York on May 22, was part of the World Trade Week activities where RSM McGladrey was a key sponsor. Ching Mia Kuang, Partner of SBA Stone Forest in China (a RSM Chio Lim’s subsidiary), gave a timely update of the Chinese economy, market opening regulations, the new corporate tax reforms, M&A developments, and the harmonisation of PRC accounting standards with the IFRS.

Speaking on the attractiveness of South East Asia and Singapore were Cheng Soon Keong at St. Louis and Mak Oi Leng in New York, Pittsburgh and Seattle. Oi Leng was on a mission trip led by International Enterprise Singapore which organised the “Doing Business in Singapore” segments.

The RSM Chio Lim team also took the opportunity to strengthen ties with RSM McGladrey offices in Chicago, St. Louis, Boston, Minneapolis and Orange County. The team included Celine Ooi (Partner) from Singapore, and Rainbow Chen (Head, Tax Advisory) and Lynn Fan (Marketing Executive) from China.