EB5 Investors Magazine (English Edition) Volume 5, Issue 1 | Page 55

investors’ success, but they would also evaluate the project principals to ensure that they also have a good understanding of EB-5 and are committed to helping investors achieve their green cards. If agents cannot feel this type of dedication and commitment from the project principals, then these projects will have a hard time gaining traction in the Chinese market. UNDERSTANDING THE CHINESE CULTURE have told me that they take months to get to know the project representatives before they decide to market their project. Thus, project principals need to prepare adequate time and resources to build relationships with agents. "Each I-526 petition does not just represent a sum of money – it represents an individual and his or her family’s dream to immigrate to the United States." There is a big difference between the American and Chinese culture. Most Americans tend to trust a person until they find out that this person cannot be trusted. The Chinese culture is the opposite. Most Chinese do not trust a person until this person have proven over time that he or she can be trusted. Thus, project developers need to understand that it takes time to earn agents’ trust. Project principals cannot expect one single trip to China will yield hundreds of investors. Some agents Respect is another key element in the Chinese culture. While project representatives may be proud of their wonderful project, they need to be careful not to come off as arrogant and disrespectful. Even if you have a wonderful project, if you are arrogant and disrespectful, agents will not want to help you market your project. HONESTY AND INTEGRITY There is a saying in the Chinese culture, “paper cannot cover fire.” The truth will come out sooner or later. Like fire, news spread very quickly, especially with WeChat. Project principals need to know that lying to cover the truth will damage their reputation and lose any credibility that they may have earned in the industry. EB5INVESTORS.COM 54