The Republic of China issued this 5 Dollar Second Nationalist Government Lottery Loan bond in 1926 to raise money to finance improvements in the Port of Whampoa, near Guangzhou (click on photo to enlarge). Rather than pay interest, and to guarantee investment from the natural gambling instincts of the Chinese, the bonds were automatically entered into a monthly lottery that paid prizes from 1,000 to 50,000 Yuan. The reverse was printed in English meaning the issue was also targeted at foreigners as investors.

This China cultural article is one of a regular series we are running at China Briefing. Conducting business in China is more than just legal and tax advice, one has to “feel” the country and its rhythms as well in order to properly advise clients on conducting business in this massive country. These China cultural articles are intended to assist with a greater business understanding of the background to doing business in China, and are provided by the research team at Dezan Shira & Associates. To view the China business cultural archives please click here.