Several successful entrepreneurs from all over the world shared their views on essential points for Western entrepreneurs to know in managing partnership with their Chinese counterparts at the 2017 Zhongguancun Forum, which opened in Beijing on Dec 7.

Christian Weiss, founder of Sunfish Partners, suggested that entrepreneurs should learn about the Chinese market and its culture, particularly local thinking patterns and business habits.

He also expressed his willingness to see more cooperation among Chinese and European companies on innovation and entrepreneurship so they can learn about both international and local demands.

During an exchange discussion, some winners of the 2017 Shengjing Global Innovation Award talked about their experiences of starting up companies in China and offered their suggestions.

Wang Wei, greater China general manger of AppsFlyer – a mobile attribution & marketing analytics platform -- advises international companies to think with a Chinese mindset; for example, by making prices more flexible.

Vice President of California-based electric vehicle infrastructure company ChargePoint Inc Alan Dowdell and Carol Li, director of business innovation and strategy of Payoneer, regard trust as the most important element.

They said trusting in partners, believing the local team and building a good relationship with government agencies all benefit business.

The 2017 Shengjing Global Innovation Award is sponsored by Shengjing, a company service platform, with the intention of respecting entrepreneurs around the world and offering a platform for international investors and creators to share cooperation opportunities.

The 2017 Shengjing Global Innovation Award winners share their views on "Global Innovation Enterprises and Opportunities and Challenges in Chinese Markets Integreation" on the sub-forum of the 2017 Zhongguancun Forum on Dec 7. [Photo provided to zhongguancun.gov.cn]