With more and more U.S. and other foreign businesses investing in the Chinese market, it is a good time for American architectural firms to enter this great market and play an important role. This thesis analyzes the prospects and feasibility of cooperation between U.S. and Chinese architects by investigating China's construction market, architects and firms.

In an overseas investment and architectural project, foreign and Chinese architects have to learn how to co-operate. They will encounter many special problems in this new work, which is very different from projects in their own countries. American architects and businessmen urgently need a reference guide to understand Chinese architectural laws, standards and code, and how to work in China with Chinese architects and government officials.

This thesis provides firsthand material collected from recent foreign investment projects in China. It is hoped that this thesis will be a guide for U.S. architects who are interested in working in China.