Study the past if you want to define the future— 温故而知新 wēn gù ér zhī xīn
Confucius (551–479 BC), Analects
China has a depth of culture and history stretching back more than 5,000 years. Through this long history with its many changes, legacies were created and philosophies developed, forming part of China’s living principles. Today Chinese still rely on the past to navigate the present and prepare the future.
Today we would like to introduce you the five of the most prevailing and relevant concepts that have significantly influenced how Chinese think and behave–especially in the business context.
They are very different perspectives that will continue to impact generations of Chinese for a considerable time to come. These five core concepts are not stand-alone concepts— in fact they are interwoven and generate new thoughts and thinking patterns.
The five core element of the Chinese thoughts process are:
- Chinese language — which embodies Chinese philosophy and culture;
- The law of 阴(yīn)and 阳(yáng) — the law of balancing opposites;
- Chinese connectedness — the belief that we are “born connected” not ” born equal”;
- Midstream living — the golden rule;
- 面(miàn)子(zi)(face)– this is more important than life itself.
Reference：” Think like Chinese ” by Haihua Zhang , Geoffrey Baker
