However, Mr Hua and many other Chinese experts stress that the focus of the visits is on bilateral trade and investment rather than Beijing brokering a peace deal.

BBC: China media: Fake food scandals

Bramah wrapped up the panel by saying investors should favor companies that build mass-market residential housing over luxury developments, as well as ones that focus on the slightly smaller, second-tier cities in the mainland rather than metropolises like Beijing and Shanghai.

FORBES: 'Bless The Mainlanders For Helping Stoke Our Economy'

As well, Chinese involvement in the Kazak oil industry effectvely ties Beijing into a cooperative rather than overbearing relationship with its sparsely-populated, resource-rich neighbor.

CNN: THE BIG OIL SHOCK

Last quarter, Dell's China sales - which are overwhelmingly to large corporations and organizations rather than to consumers, a market dominated by Beijing-based Legend Computer - were up 240% over the same period last year.

CNN: CHASING THE CHINA MARKET

The latest trend is for foreign investment flows into second and third tier cities rather than the major eastern seaboard cities like Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou.

FORBES: Foreign Cos Less Enchanted With China Manufacturing, But Country Still Beats U.S. As Investment Hot Spot

Beijing officials on business will now have simple buffets, rather than banquets.

BBC: 'Banquet ban' for China military

The IMF recommended Beijing consider a new round of stimulus through the budget rather than the financial system, since the large credit stimulus in 2009 and 2010 has increased risks to the banking system.

FORBES: IMF Lowers China Growth Forecast

Beijing entrepreneur Alan Guo makes the point that today, big companies serve small companies rather than the other way around.

FORBES: Beijing Startup Builds On Shoulders Of Giants To Go Global And IPO From China

In fact, in the course of a long career in the Foreign Service, Freeman served in capacities - notably as ambassador to Saudi Arabia and as the number two man in Embassy Beijing - where the job often is seen as representing the host government to his own, rather than the other way around.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Garbage in, garbage out