Entertaining is an important part of business, worldwide. But the rules of mixing business and entertainment vary significantly by culture, industry and type of business relationship.

Generally, Chinese like to share informal business discussion over a meal, which is a good way to develop insights and personal relationship while refueling. Food is one of the favorite topics of Chinese as it is an integral part of their life, heritage and sense of community. By understanding the basics of food and its important role in Chinese culture, travelers to China will find they have a more enjoyable dining experience which often leads to richer relationships with colleagues and hosts.

Chinese Cuisine
Chinese cuisine is ranked as one of the world's richest with an enormous range of palate sensations. In broad-brush generalities, Chinese cuisine is classified into eight main categories, roughly aligning with regions of origin:

Anhui cuisine
Anhui cuisine is typified by ham in the seasoning or added sugar to flavor. Anhui style often includes braising and stewing rather than frying as Anhui Chefs utilize the benefits of extended heat in their cooking.

Cantonese cuisine
Cantonese cuisine has an emphasis on fresh and plain, thus bringing out the natural favours of the ingredients. Being able to tasting clean, crisp fresh foods is a hallmark of Cantonese cuisine. Cooking methods range from steaming, stir-frying, deep-frying, roasting, braising to stewing. Cantonese chefs are attentive to artistic presentation and preparation as they aim to tantalise with multi-sensory experience.

Fujian cuisine
Fine cutting techniques, soups, unique seasonings and exquisite cooking are the four features of Fujian cuisine. It is often characterised by its seafood selection and wonderful combination taste of sour, salty, sweet and savoury.

Hunan cuisine
Hunan cuisine relies heavily on the use of oil, dense colour and practice to produce tenderness, crispness and spicy favour. Hunan cuisine is distinguished for its thick and pungent/spicy favours. Chilli (usually dry chilli), pepper and other ingredients are essential in preparation.

Jiangsu cuisine
Due to their geographical proximity to the sea, aquatics are the main ingredients often used in Jiangsu cuisine. Jiangsu cuisine stresses the freshness of the seafood. Jiangsu cuisine is famous for being fresh, light and delicate.

Shandong cuisine
Shandong cuisine emphasises on aroma, freshness, crispness and tenderness. The cooking methods tend to be frying or grilling. Shallots and garlic are the crucial elements in Shandong flavor.

Sichuan cuisine
Sichuan cuisine wins its reputation for pungent/spicy flavors, which cover 'Seven Tastes' from sweet, sour, tingling, spicy, bitter, piquant, to salty. Among those tastes, spicy and tingling are commonly remembered, along with the smells.

Zhejiang cuisine
Zhejiang cuisine is popular for its freshness, smoothness and softness. Zhejiang chefs prefer to use braising and steaming to render their dishes.

You may notice that notable differences are the type of spices and kitchen craft (stewing or quick frying) plus the use of local foods: seafood or meat. Recognizing that generalizations in cooking styles are at best indicators of what to expect in your travels it is worth noting that some cuisines are typified by regions or cities.

Beijing cuisine tends to be rich in flavor with sophisticated Mandarin dishes utilizing oil-based sauces, which range from mild to VERY HOT. One show case dish the world over is Peking duck, which is often served as a special dish where the external layer of the duck is sliced to become the delicate center of a wrap with plum sauce and vegetables. The balance of the duck is often converted to a soup or dish before the end of banquet.

As you might expect from a country with over one billion inhabitants the breadth and depth of cooking styles is enormous and continuously evolving. Be ready for an epicurean experience when visiting China and take time to enjoy meals as an opportunity to learn about your colleagues as well as their palate pleasers.

There is a Chinese old saying "The first priority to general public is eating" (min yi shi wei tian). Food is an important element in daily life and establishes the clock for family, work and community. Proper diet is far more important than a fast food pit stop as Chinese view the dining experience as a social event and a time to catch up with family, colleagues and friends.

• Eight Cuisines in China
• Eight Regional Variations
• Eat, drink and make merry
• www.expatriateconnect.com