Chinese students forced to rethink their “study abroad” plans. With the situation changing so quickly, it’s tough for students to know what to do. BOSSA, the association of education agents in China, revealed that about half of all students planning to study abroad are directly blocked from being able to apply for a visa. But 71% of students say they will not change their plans.
As for Chinese students that are already abroad, 86% said indonesia phone number list they would feel safer in China now than in their host country. Their biggest concern is the virus itself, and the next biggest concern is the impact it is having on their studies. As international travel becomes increasingly difficult, many students are concerned about being able to return to China or their country of residence.
China’s Gaokao college entrance exam has also been delayed by one month (Chinese), giving students an extra month to prepare.
Students are concerned and confused by the rapidly changing situation. During times like this, it’s important for schools to communicate clearly to their students and future students. They should make sure that students know the current policies and are able to reach admissions staff digitally.
Businesses are digitizing
Canton Fair goes online. The current situation with COVID-19 has forced organisers to move China’s most famous import and export trade fair (since 1957) online. The organisers promise “around-the-clock services for online product promotion, matchmaking and business negotiations” on their official website. What does it mean in practice? For instance, each exhibitor will get their own live-streaming room with the opportunity to broadcast content around-the-clock for ten days.
Moving the fair online is only one example of businesses adapting to the new situation. However, given the pandemic and restriction of movement, it will give businesses all over the world the opportunity to reach their desired customers even though they cannot show up in Guangdong themselves. Trade fairs organised offline are common within the industry, however, they do have their limitations. Moving these events online increases the number of people who can participate.
COVID-19 survival lessons from businesses in China. Executives of companies operating in China shared their advice with McKinsey:
Providing protective gear and additional health-benefits to employees were crucial to maintaining morale.
Maintaining digital communication with both clients and employees keeps the management up-to-date with the current situation and enables them to act quickly.
Moving as much of the operation online as possible, doubling the digital initiatives and adjusting the message; as well as, providing contactless services after the reopening offline, which helped keep customers feel taken care of and safe.
Both big international companies and smaller businesses in China believe that the crisis brought employees and management closer together. Chinese businesses that stocked up for Chinese New Year (the peak season) faced bankruptcy and mass lay-offs. At the same time, many businesses were forced to “borrow” employees from each other to survive.
Business video meeting apps break the record with 62 million downloads in 7 days (Chinese). Even Douyin, which is notorious for breaking download records, cannot compete in this race. Videoconferencing has been the fastest-growing category in app stores around the world.