Twenty international business students and academics from the University of Newcastle will be putting the tough questions to some of the most successful business operators in China tonight.

Academic Tony Drew from the Newcastle School of Graduate Business is convening an international teleconference giving students direct access to some of the key players in the fastest growing economy in the world.

"Operating a successful and sustainable business in your own country has its own set of unique challenges. Move that business to an overseas location with a different language, culture, legislative requirements and political system, and those challenges become a lot more complex.

"The international business masters students will be able to question some of the commercial leaders currently operating in China about their corporate and business strategies, and what makes their venture a success.

"Access to real-time commercial activity in China gives students a rare insight into a complex business world."

Representatives in China from Mars Bars, Anglo American, JZJ Law firm, and entrepreneurs from the finance and mining and supply chain management sectors will be part of the exercise.