Explore the

Chinese Culture
Let’ s learn
together !
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
• China: 9,600,000 square kilometers, is proud of five
thousand years’ history.
• 56 ethnic groups: living in China have developed
their own customs.

Too many culture elements!

Brief Contents
• 1. Chinese Religion and Philosophy:
Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism
• 2. Modern business culture & etiquette.
• 3. Chinese cuisine.
• 4. Chinese arts and crafts:
Painting, operas, embroidery, china and martial arts
1. 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 Neonatal Date Duration Sum
Figure
Confucianism Confucius 479 BC To 2010 2500 years

Taoism Laozi 6th century BC To 2010 2500 years

Buddhism Sakyamuni 6th century BC To 2010 1500 years
into China in
6th Century AD
The Leading Figures
Confucianism Taoism Buddhism
Confucius Lao Zi Shakyamuni
1.1 Confucianism
• Confucianism ( 儒家 ; pinyin: Rújiā) is a Chinese
Confucius
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 Confucianism
Ren 仁 (benevolence, love) & Li 礼 (rites)---respect for the
system of social hierarchy.
• 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.
1.2 Taoism
• Laozi ( 老子 ; pinyin: Lǎozǐ;) was a philosopher of Lao Zi
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 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 Buddhism
• Buddhism is a religion and philosophy Shakyamuni
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 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:
Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism
• 2. Modern business culture & etiquette.
Relactionship (Guanxi), Face (Lian)
• 3. Chinese arts and crafts:
Painting, operas, embroidery, china and martial arts
• 4. Chinese cuisine.
2. Modern Business Culture &
Etiquette.
1. Why should we know Chinese culture?
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 .

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.
Relationship and face are completely legal in Chinese culture and not regarded
as bribery.
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.
3. 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.
Cardinal Rules in Negotiation
Business 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 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 Etiquette
1. 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:
Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism
• 2. Modern business culture & etiquette.
• 3. Chinese cuisine.
• 4. Chinese arts and crafts:
Painting, operas, embroidery, china and martial arts
3. Chinese cuisine
• 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.

业
务
流
程
Chinese Eight Regional Cuisines
Jiangsu Anhui Hunan
High cutting techniques Nutritious food Known for sour and spicy dishes

large meatball
Yi xiang fish
Fujian
peculiar about soup Zhejiang
Tai bai fish light, crisp, elegant

Sichuan
Spicy-hot
Tremella and quail eggs soup
Dong po Pork
Shandong Guangdong
excellent seafood Delicacies

Chicken with chili sauce

Sea pumpkin Fotiaoqiang
Beijing Roast Duck

Beijing Roast duck is thought to be one of the most delicious

dishes all over the world; most visitors coming to Beijing will
never forget to have a try.
4. Chinese arts and crafts

1. Traditional Festival:
Spring Festival
2. Chinese Folk Arts:
Beijing Opera, Martial Arts
3. Chinese crafts:
Painting, Embroidery, China
4. Chinese Architecture
Spring Festival

• There are many traditional festivals in China,

such as Spring Festival, Lantern Festival,
Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival.
Festival

• But Spring Festival, also known as Chinese

new year, is the most important in our culture,
just as important as Christmas Day in western
culture.
Spring Festival

TraditionalChinese Dumpling
The origin of Spring Festival—”Nian”,
Fireworks are used to scare
Festival -- the most important
lunar
year. Celebration—reunion and
the beast “Nian” andthanksgiving
to get
foods in Chinese New
rid of ill luck
Year

 New Year's Eve Dinner

 Fireworks Reflect the best wishes to the
upcoming year
 Dui Lian
Chinese Folk Arts

TwoChinese
special arts
folk arts

Traditional
Festival
业 Martial Arts
Beijing
务 Opera
流
(Kung Fu)
程
Beijing 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 Opera
• Sheng
• Dan
• Jing
• Chou
• The facial painting is worth appreciating for its artistic value
Martial Arts (Kung Fu )

• Anyone who has

seen classical
Chinese Kung Fu
movies will be Do you know
deeply impressed Bruce
by Lee,
the ChineseJetWushu,
Li or Jackie Chan?
which is called
Kung Fu or Chinese
martial arts in the
west.
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.
Chinese Architecture
 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 业
form the main room and yard.
务
流
程
The Forbidden City
The Great Wall
• The Great Wall of China, one of the greatest wonders of the
world, the Great Wall winds up and down across deserts,
grasslands, mountains and plateaus, from east to west of
China. With a history of more than 2000 years.
Painting, Embroidery, China

embroidery painting china

The End
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
北京交通大学经济管理学院 1 队
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

Thank you!