Bribery and other forms of corruption are problems often encountered by foreign businesses operating in China.
This can result in companies providing clients with expensive trips abroad, lavish meals and red envelopes stuffed with money.
But not all businesses get drawn into this murky world; some say they abide by the same high standards they observe elsewhere.
And one foreign business advisor said firms that supply good products and services will always do well – even if they refuse to be corrupt.
The use of bribery in the business world in China has come into sharp focus because of the trial involving four executives working for the Anglo-Australian mining firm Rio Tinto.
The four were sentenced in Shanghai to between seven and 14 years in prison for taking bribes and stealing commercial secrets.
But how much of a problem is bribery for foreign firms operating in China?
One British businessman, who did not want to be named, said it was a big problem, particularly in China’s smaller cities.
He told the BBC of one occasion when he was trying to set up a joint venture company with a Chinese partner in Shandong province.
Negotiations had been going on for weeks, without any success, he said. Then, at one meeting, he was asked to step outside for a chat with an official.
“He said all the problems could be overcome – so I asked him how. He said it could be done if I gave him 1m yuan ($146,000: £98,000),” said the businessman.
