ABSTRACT
The Great Hall of the People is the largest building in Beijing. It takes up most of the west flank of Tiananmen Square, the huge, usually vacant open space in the center of the Chinese capital just south of the Forbidden City. Inside the Great Hall, Chinese leaders such as Mao, Deng, and Chou En-lai have entertained foreign leaders from around the world. Foreign dignitaries are usually driven to the Great Hall of the People for welcoming ceremonies immediately after they first set foot in Beijing. The ceremonies to launch business contracts in China have a ritual quality to them. On some occasions China exploited the visiting board chairmen and chief executive officers for other purposes. The timing of signing ceremonies could be important; after a period of retrenchment, or when China wanted to attract more foreign investment, it could create the impression of change.
