Despite what the pundits say, you do not have to be in China now and China isn't going to fall off the map anytime soon. Know what your bottom line is. The Chinese market is changing so rapidly that the idea that you must be in China today to compete in fifteen years is rubbish. Sometimes being out of the market is better than losing money in the market. Most of it is garbage.
Relationships are important in China, but they are important everywhere.
Good guanxi is a network of relationships with people at various levels across a broad range of organizations. Guanxi is created and cultivated. With manners, diligence, courtesy and goodwill, you can construct your own web of supporting relationships. It takes time in China to investigate the market and find the right partners. After you have established a business in China, it takes even more time in China to nurture that business and cement your relationship with your partners.