“It doesn’t matter if a cat is black or white, so long as it catches mice.“
– Deng Xiaoping
The last several decades have seen the reemergence of China as a world power. Many countries rely on products manufactured in China, and many Chinese firms are expanding around the world. Among these, Chinese tech firms such as Huawei and DJI have become increasingly dominant, expanding their market shares and providing important, high-quality products to global consumers. The Chinese government has also become much more active on the world stage, with a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, more powerful state-owned enterprises expanding overseas, and an increasing focus on regions such as Africa, the Middle East and the South China Sea.
But despite this growth and development, many people around the world, especially those in Western countries, know very little about China, the Chinese people, and Chinese society. Even fewer speak the Chinese language, despite almost all Chinese learning some English, and many learning to communicate fluently. This lack of knowledge, and the lack of a balanced relationship between the Chinese people and their counterparts overseas, can easily lead to misunderstandings between the two cultures, especially as misinformation and unconfirmed rumors is casually spread by governments and even certain members of the news media.
The goal of the China Culture Corner is to provide a convenient location for people outside China to learn about the many aspects of Chinese culture and the Chinese people. By focusing key basic information, as well as sharing experiences on the ground in China, it is much easier to develop an understanding of how the Chinese speak, live and do business, which is vital if people around the world are to view them as they truly are – real people, just like everyone else.
If you’re interested in learning more about China, Chinese culture, and business in China, please feel free to subscribe to the China Culture Corner to have future posts sent directly to your inbox. You can also follow and interact with me on social media or send me a message on Twitter.
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