Frontman for mainland version of Donald Trump's show says Chinese people have to give others face
The winner of the Chinese version of The Apprentice will be hired on a lucrative 1 million yuan annual salary in the business empire of maverick Beijing property tycoon Pan Shiyi.
Speaking for the first time on being chosen by Donald Trump to front the programme, Mr Pan said he would not adopt the aggressive TV persona of the New York property mogul with losing contestants.
'I definitely won't say, 'You're fired!' It's just not in my character,' said the 41-year-old, though he has routinely sacked his worst-performing employees over the past decade.
'Chinese people give others face. To tell somebody he's fired in such a tone, especially when this person has literally not been hired, is not the Chinese way.
'I probably will say something like, 'You will have a better opportunity somewhere else', in a way he will get it and find the manner acceptable,' added the man nicknamed Naughty Boy for his company's innovative designs.
Mr Pan told the Sunday Morning Post that he was ready to sign a two-year agent contract with Mark Burnett Productions for a six-month production of the show. It might be extended a further four months on mutual agreement.