China 88: The Real China and How to Deal with It

Chapter 1. Understanding the Chinese

1.1 Confucian Values

When foreigners think of China, they often wonder at its size. But China is also ancient, with a past that stretches well back into history. The Chinese can trace their culture further into the past than any western civilization, into the murky depths of the earliest recorded history of mankind itself. It is therefore not surprising to find a wealth of tradition and embedded customs in modern Chinese society. A fundamental aspect of those traditions and customs is derived from the writings of Confucius.

Confucian values emerged from a time when China was a feudalistic society ruled by dynastic families. For 2,500 years, Confucian values have permeated almost every facet of Chinese society. ...