China was the focus of the world as it hosted the most spectacular Olympic Games in Beijing. The nation’s economic growth during the past 20 years has best exemplified the spirit of the games as China goes through speed races and obstacle courses with triumphant successes and, also, utter failures. Even with great difficulties, however, this country and its people are committed to enduring the Chinese economic marathon.

Chang-Hong Whitney is president of Whitney Consulting Ltd. in Massachusetts. With an MBA from Babson College (Wellesley, MA) and undergraduate degrees in electronic engineering and international business, she has been consulting for western companies on doing business in China since 1994, focusing on the medical device market. Her services include China regulatory affairs, market research, sourcing and logistics programs and China business strategies. She can be reached at [email protected].