Before leaving for China, fax businesses there in which you are interested and try to arrange a visit. Chinese companies are hungry for foreign investment, trade and cooperation, so chances are good that at least some companies will be happy to meet you even if they don't know you. There are hundreds of branch offices of PRC companies in Hong Kong, so that may be the first place to visit. On your first and perhaps even your second trip to China, you may accomplish nothing more than getting to know several possible candidates for business relationships. Rushing into business before you have established a personal relationship is an invitation to failure.
Patience is thus extremely important.
After drawing up a list of possible candidates, take time to evaluate each party carefully, and weigh each one's strengths and weaknesses before you decide on who to follow up. After making your first contacts with businesspeople in China, be prepared to spend a lot of time deepening and strengthening relationships through visits, dinners, gift giving, and many small favors. While this can be costly and time-consuming, Chinese appreciate all sincere efforts in this area, and no favor done goes unnoticed. Likewise, keep a running account of all favors done for you, all small gifts received, and the like. The odds are good that you will be expected to reciprocate in the future.