Explore theExplore theChinese CultureChinese Culture

What is Culture Definition ?• Some conceive of culture as separating humans from non-humans. • Some define it as communicable knowledge. • Some as the sum of historical achievements produced by man’s social life. • In a word: culture is learned, shared, and transmitted from the generation to

the next.

Chinese Culture Overview• ChinaChina:: 9,600,000 square kilometers, , is proud of five

thousand years’ history.

• 56 ethnic groups:56 ethnic groups: living in China have developed their own customs.

Too many culture elements!

Brief Contents

• 1. Chinese Religion and Philosophy:1. Chinese Religion and Philosophy: Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism • 2. Modern business culture & etiquette.2. Modern business culture & etiquette.• 3. Chinese cuisine.3. Chinese cuisine.• 4. Chinese arts and crafts: 4. Chinese arts and crafts: Painting, operas, embroidery, china and martial arts

1. Religion and Philosophy1. Religion and Philosophy

• China has an approximately 4100-year recorded history. ( From the endless primeval period, around 2,100 B.C.)

• Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism are the three great thoughts. Most social values are derived from Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism.

Item Central Figure

Neonatal Date Duration Sum

Confucianism Confucius 479 BC To 2010 2500 years

Taoism Laozi 6th century BC To 2010 2500 years

Buddhism Sakyamuni 6th century BC

into China in 6th Century AD

To 2010 1500 years

The Leading Figures

Confucius Lao Zi Shakyamuni

Confucianism Taoism Buddhism

1.1 Confucianism1.1 Confucianism

Confucius• Confucianism ( 儒家 ; pinyin: Rújiā) is a Chinese ethical and philosophical system developed from the teachings of Confucius (Kǒng Fūzǐ, lit. "Master Kong", 551–478 BC).

• It is a complex system of moral, social, political, philosophical, and quasi-religious thought that has had tremendous influence on the culture and history of East Asia.

Teachings of ConfucianismTeachings of Confucianism

• The basic clou of Confucianism stresses the importance of the individual moral development, so that the state can be governed by moral virtue rather than by the laws.

• Golden mean (philosophy): the felicitous middle between the extremes of excess and deficiency “ Rid the two ends, take the middle one.”

• Relationships are central to Confucianism. Particular duties arise from one's special situation in relation to others.

Ren 仁 (benevolence, love) & Li 礼 (rites)---respect for the system of social hierarchy.

1.2 Taoism1.2 Taoism Lao Zi• Laozi ( 老子 ; pinyin: Lǎozǐ;) was a philosopher of

China around 6th century B.C. and is a central figure in Taoism.

• Laozi literally means "Old Master" and is generally considered an honorific.

•Taoism is the Chinese religion which believes in ghosts and spirits. It emphasized cooperation with the natural forces.

Teachings of TaoismTeachings of Taoism

Wu wei ( 无为 ; pinyin: wúwéi) is a central concept in Taoism. The literal meaning of wu wei is "without action". It is often expressed by the paradox wei wu wei, meaning "action without action" or "effortless doing".

1.3 Buddhism1.3 Buddhism

Shakyamuni• Buddhism is a religion and philosophy encompassing a variety of traditions, beliefs and practices, largely based on teachings attributed to Shakyamuni (Gautama), commonly known as the Buddha.

• Buddha lived and taught in the northeastern Indian subcontinent sometime between the 6th and 4th centuries BC.

Buddhism in ChinaBuddhism in China

• Buddhism is the most important religion in China. It is generally believed that it was spread to Central China in 67 AD during the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220).

• During its development in China, it has a profound influence on traditional Chinese culture and thoughts, and has become one of the most important religions in China.

Journey to The West

Teachings of the Buddha

Life is filled with suffering.

Suffering is caused by people’s wants.• Buddhism promotes code of conduct in life. That is what they call Five Precepts of avoiding killing, stealing, indulging, lying and alcohol drinking. It leads

to self-understanding.

King of Monkey

Brief Contents

• 1. Chinese Religion and Philosophy:1. Chinese Religion and Philosophy:

Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism • 2. Modern business culture & etiquette.2. Modern business culture & etiquette.

Relactionship (Guanxi), Face (Lian)• 3. Chinese arts and crafts: 3. Chinese arts and crafts:

Painting, operas, embroidery, china and martial arts • 4. Chinese cuisine.4. Chinese cuisine.

2. Modern Business Culture & 2. Modern Business Culture & Etiquette.Etiquette.

A. China is becoming a economic powerhouse. B. Commercial activity is not merely the exchange and cooperation

based on economic benefits, it is also the collision and communicating between different cultures that each side has.

C. Every person is grown in a particular culture, learning the “right way” of doing things .

1. Why should we know Chinese culture?

2. The background of Modern business culture and etiquette.

For nearly two thousand years Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism has molded and shaped the civilization of China and exerted a profound influence upon almost one fourth of human race.

2.1 Relationship (Guanxi)• “Guanxi” literally means "relationships“, stands for any type of relationship. Chinese people care more about the social relationship than commercial relationship in doing the business: “Guanxi” means one will be quick to do a favor, do anything necessary for the other party: "You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours."

• Most important business cannot occur until relationship if sound, written agreement secondary to Guan xi. Guanxi is hard to form, but long lasting.

• The reciprocal nature of “Guanxi" and its implied obligations is the main reason why Chinese are reticent to engage in deeper relationships with people they do not know.

2.2 “Face” (Lian or Mianzi)

“Lian” can be translate into “face” in English which is one of the most important cultural traits of Chinese people. Giving face (giving due respect) is a very important concept in China. You must give the appropriate respect according to rank and seniority.

For example in the business negotiation:

The Chinese often avoid the word “No” to save face for both parties. Words such as “bu fangbian” (inconvenient) , “tai kunnan” (too difficult) or “huoxu” (maybe) are synonyms of “No” in Chinese culture.

Affect of Relationship andFace.

How to establish relationship?

Courtesy calls for reciprocity ( 礼尚往来： lǐshàng wǎng lái ) 　1. Relationship starts with and builds on the trustworthiness of the individual or

the company.

2. Frequent contacts with each other foster understanding and emotional bonds and the Chinese often feel obligated to do business with their friends first.

• Wine has close connection with social relationship in China . ----also seems today that friendship depends only on the volume of drink being consumed. "If we are good friends, then bottoms up; if not, then just take a sip" is a common phrased exchanged during gatherings. Not good.

Relationship and face are completely legal in Chinese culture and not regarded as bribery.

CardinalCardinal Rules in NegotiationBusiness negotiations in China require a much more patient approach. The Chinese culture makes the people suspicious of strangers, the term "we"ll consider it" will be heard frequently.

• Don't say or do anything to embarass the Chinese participants and cause them to lose "face." • Don't point your finger or any sharp object such as a pen or pencil at anyone. • Don't lose your temper and raise your voice. • Don’t wear Bright colours.

2.3 Gift GivingGift Giving

Gift giving is a big part of any culture. Especially growing up Chinese. Gifts are often used in “Guanxi" to establish, or bring equilibrium to the relationship.

Things to avoid. • Do not give knives, scissors, letter openers, etc. It implies the severing of a relationship• Do not expect that a gift will be opened immediately • Avoid giving things to people in groups of four, since the number four in Chinese is a homonym for the word 'death' . • Never give a Chinese gentleman a green hat. It is associated with adultery.• Do not wrap gifts in white, blue or black paper.• Gifts may be refused three times before they are accepted.

2.3 Dining Etiquette1. If you are the guest, wait to be seated as hierarchy is involved .

2. Eating usually begins once the host offers the first drink. .

3. Let older people eat first, or if you hear an elder say "let's eat", you can start to eat.

4. When helping yourself to the dishes, you should take food first from the plates in front of you rather than those in front of others.

5. Do not stick chopsticks vertically into your food, especially not into rice, as this will make Chinese think of funerals.

Brief Contents• 1. Chinese Religion and Philosophy:1. Chinese Religion and Philosophy:

Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism • 2. Modern business culture & etiquette.2. Modern business culture & etiquette.• 3. Chinese cuisine.3. Chinese cuisine.• 4. Chinese arts and crafts: 4. Chinese arts and crafts:

Painting, operas, embroidery, china and martial arts

3. Chinese cuisine

业务流程

• Chinese culinary arts are famous all over the world. Chinese dishes appeal to the senses through sight, smell, taste, texture.

• Chinese cuisine includes a variety of different flavors due to China's vast geography and diverse nationalities. Local dishes with their own distinctiveness can be roughly divided into eight regional cuisines.

Chinese Eight Regional Cuisines

Fujian

Tremella and quail eggs soup

peculiar about soup

Hunan

Yi xiang fish

Known for sour and spicy dishes

Shandong excellent seafood

Sea pumpkin

Sichuan Spicy-hot

Chicken with chili sauce

Guangdong

Fotiaoqiang

Delicacies

Anhui Jiangsu

large meatball

High cutting techniques Nutritious food

Tai bai fishZhejiang

Dong po Pork

light, crisp, elegant

Beijing Roast Duck

Beijing Roast duck is thought to be one of the most delicious Beijing Roast duck is thought to be one of the most delicious dishes all over the world; most visitors coming to Beijing will dishes all over the world; most visitors coming to Beijing will never forget to have a try.never forget to have a try.

4.4. Chinese arts and craftsChinese arts and crafts

1. Traditional Festival: Spring FestivalSpring Festival

2. Chinese Folk Arts: Beijing Opera, Martial Arts

3. Chinese crafts: crafts: Painting, Embroidery, China

4. Chinese Architecture

Spring FestivalSpring Festival

• There are many traditional festivals in China, There are many traditional festivals in China, such assuch as Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn FestivalDragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival.

• But Spring Festival, also known as Chinese But Spring Festival, also known as Chinese new year, is the most important in our culture, new year, is the most important in our culture, just as important as Christmas Day in western just as important as Christmas Day in western culture.culture.

Spring FestivalSpring Festival

The origin of Spring Festival—”Nian”, lunar year. The origin of Spring Festival—”Nian”, lunar year. Celebration—reunion and thanksgivingCelebration—reunion and thanksgiving

New Year's Eve DinnerNew Year's Eve Dinner

FireworksFireworks

Dui LianDui Lian

Traditional Festival

Chinese Dumpling-- the most important foods in Chinese New

Year

Fireworks are used to scare Fireworks are used to scare the beast “Nian” and to get the beast “Nian” and to get

rid of ill luckrid of ill luck

Reflect the best wishes to the Reflect the best wishes to the upcoming yearupcoming year

Chinese Folk ArtsChinese Folk Arts

业务流程

Chinese folk arts

Traditional Festival Martial Arts

(Kung Fu)Beijing Opera

Two special arts

Beijing OperaBeijing Opera• Beijing opera is the most influential opera in China and has a history

of around 200 years. It synthesizes the arts of singing, dancing, recitation, martial arts, and instrumental music. Symbolism dominates the motions and stage designs.

• There are four main roles in Beijing Opera:

• Sheng: is the male role in Beijing Opera.• Dan: is all female roles.• Jing: is known as hualian, a role with a painted face, who is a man

of special character, features and personality. • Chou: is also called xiaohualian. A chou may be a kind-hearted,

humorous and funny fellow ( some time likes buffoon).

Beijing OperaBeijing Opera

• ShengSheng• DanDan• Jing Jing • ChouChou• The facial painting is worth appreciating for its artistic value

Martial Arts (Kung Fu )Martial Arts (Kung Fu )

• Anyone who has Anyone who has seen classical seen classical Chinese Kung Fu Chinese Kung Fu movies will be movies will be deeply impressed deeply impressed by the Chinese by the Chinese Wushu, which is Wushu, which is called Kung Fu or called Kung Fu or Chinese martial arts Chinese martial arts in the west.in the west.

Do you know Do you know Bruce Lee, Bruce Lee,

Jet Li or Jackie Chan?Jet Li or Jackie Chan?

Martial Arts (Kung Fu )Martial Arts (Kung Fu )

• Kung Fu is an important and unique component of Chinese cultural heritage with centuries of cultural history attached.

• Kung Fu not only includes physical exercise but also Chinese philosophy, meditation and aesthetics.

• Kung Fu’s purpose from self-defense to health maintenance and finally as method of self-cultivation.

Kong FuKong Fu

Chinese ArchitectureChinese Architecture

业务流程

A Chinese structure is based on the principle of balance and symmetry.

Office buildings, residences, temples, and palaces all follow the principle that the main structure is the axis.

The secondary structures are positioned as two wings on either side to form the main room and yard.

The Forbidden CityThe Forbidden City

The Great WallThe Great Wall• The Great Wall of China, one of the greatest wonders of the The Great Wall of China, one of the greatest wonders of the

world, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, world, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts, grasslands, mountains and plateaus, from east to west of grasslands, mountains and plateaus, from east to west of

China. With a history of more than 2000 years.China. With a history of more than 2000 years.

Painting, Embroidery, ChinaPainting, Embroidery, China

paintingpaintingembroideryembroidery chinachina

北京交通大学经济管理学院 1 队

Thank you!

Most of the materials are from internet: If you want to know more please refer to the following websites :

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Culture_of_China#Chinese_culture

2. http://chinese-school.netfirms.com/guanxi.html

3. http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/china-country-profile.html

4. http://www.travelchinaguide.com/intro/cuisine.htm

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