Contact your Chinese partners like a local
China’s speed! But when you contact your Chinese supplier, why does it sometimes still take so long to get feedback?
Your emails are not answered within 24 hours.
The reason may be simple:
Many Chinese professionals use WeChat as their main daily communication tool. Why not use it too?
The good news is that WeChat is free and available worldwide, with both mobile and desktop versions available for professional use.
Should WeChat replace your emails?
Maybe not completely.
Emails are still more suitable for formal communication, such as purchase orders, invoices, contracts, and official documents.
But when you need quick feedback from your supplier, WeChat can be the most efficient tool.
Need a picture from the factory?
Need a datasheet?
Need a quotation update?
Everything is available directly on their mobile phone, allowing them to respond quickly wherever they are.
Why is WeChat so important when working with Chinese suppliers?
One interesting difference between China and Europe is that WeChat is widely used for both internal and external business communication.
In many Chinese companies, colleagues use WeChat for daily discussions, while also communicating with customers, suppliers, and business partners through the same platform.
Although some professionals have separate personal and work accounts, the separation between professional and personal communication is generally less strict than in many European countries.
Using WeChat can help build trust with Chinese suppliers
Contacting your supplier through WeChat can also send a positive signal. It shows that you understand how business communication works in China and are willing to adapt to the way your Chinese partners work.
For suppliers, this creates a more direct and natural way to communicate and helps build trust.
Of course, using WeChat does not mean skipping professional processes or documentation.
Important information should still be properly recorded through formal communication channels.
Instead, WeChat helps make daily cooperation smoother and faster.
Want to connect with AGC Industrial Solutions on WeChat?
Scan the QR code below to contact our team directly and learn more about how we support European companies with manufacturing solutions in China.
A small communication change that can make a big difference
When working internationally, success is not only about finding the right supplier.
It is also about understanding how your partners communicate and work.
At AGC Industrial Solutions, we work every day with European companies and Chinese manufacturing partners.
During our daily communication with Chinese manufacturing partners, we often see that a simple WeChat message can solve a question in minutes, while the same topic may take several email exchanges.
These small communication differences can sometimes create delays or misunderstandings. Understanding how your partners communicate can make cooperation smoother and more efficient.
So next time you are waiting for a reply from your Chinese supplier, try asking:
“Would WeChat be a better way to reach them?”
Sometimes, improving cooperation with your Chinese supplier does not require a complicated solution. It can start with something as simple as using the communication tool they already use every day.
