In China, it is assumed that the first person that enters a room is the head of the group. Westerners should observe this tradition to avoid confusing their Chinese hosts. Important guests are usually escorted to their seats. If the meeting room has a large central table, the principal guest is likely to be seated directly opposite the principal host.
When exchanging business cards, hold out your card using both hands with the writing facing the recipient. Cards should always be exchanged individually. Never toss your business card across the table, this is considered extremely rude. Take a business card with both hands and scan it immediately for vital information. Then lay the card in front of you on the table. It is demeaning to put someone’s card directly into your pocket without looking at it first.
Meetings begin with small talk. Resist the temptation to get down to business right away. Also, avoid telling Western-style jokes, because sometimes they do not translate across cultures and can cause confusion or hurt feelings.