I'd argue China is actually one of the easiest markets to adapt for, given its size. We're talking 1.3 billion people with the same national language, 92% of which share the same ethnicity (Han). Most Chinese cities are quite consistent in terms of culture and regulations. It's a very homogeneous country with a large middle class
Indian or South-East Asia markets are much more difficult to adapt for. You've got a smaller population with less buying power divided up into more than dozens of major languages, cultures, ethnicities, laws, etc.
Protectionism is the real barrier in China, not Western ignorance.
This is what I experienced at a Chinese startup, where a large majority of the strategy/ops efforts were dedicated to localizing products for SEA, compared to the domestic market.
Indian or South-East Asia markets are much more difficult to adapt for. You've got a smaller population with less buying power divided up into more than dozens of major languages, cultures, ethnicities, laws, etc.
Protectionism is the real barrier in China, not Western ignorance.
This is what I experienced at a Chinese startup, where a large majority of the strategy/ops efforts were dedicated to localizing products for SEA, compared to the domestic market.