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Home  /  Inside China  /  Return of the Classics
Return of the Classics print version
Yangsheng recreation for the old – socialist China meets neoliberal modernity 25-11-2012
tiantan_old_1544Visitors in Chinese parks, early in the morning or late afternoon, encounter a vibrant scene of retired Chinese engaging in all sorts of recreational activities. What lies under this passion and how these activities represent new sociocultural developments in Chinese society?
表面上 - The nice surface-face of China 29-06-2011
'On the surface', '表面上' biaomianshang, is a term that in recent years is strongly associated a phenomena that takes place in many domains in China, from government policies, to construction works and fast food dishes. When something has a nice appearance, is intended to be eye catching and give the false illusion that the inside is also valuable, then 表面上 can be used in a negative way.
Revolts and Revolutions – Is the Chinese political 'nature' obedient or rebellious? 21-05-2011
In this article, we shift from ancient to contemporary China, asking to what extent did the 20th century reshape Chinese political thinking and how come revolts in Imperial China were often seen as a legitimate conduct.
Where the youngest child becomes an emperor – Does filial piety exist in 21st century China? 21-03-2011
Reverse filial piety or maintaining the value of xiao in the only possible manner - What is a more accurate description to the spoiled, though full of high expectations, lifestyle many young Chinese experience? Although the 'little emperor' phenomenon would probably leave Confucius speechless, perhaps such conducts are in fact the only way to preserve filial piety under the conditions of modern Chinese society.
Tea and Business, Chit-Chat and Sales – The indirect ways of closing deals in China 04-03-2011
Though some Chinese companies may adopt more direct approaches, business deals in China often need to 'pass through' a comfortable friendly interaction, involving Chinese tea and breathing 'cultural scent', before reaching the bottom 'money line'.
Guanxi and Amauru, the Driving Force of Social Interactions in China and Japan? 10-05-2010

There some common features in the Japanese sentiment amae and the Chinese practice of guanxi. However, while guanxi is often linked to a collectivist Chinese society, amae is a more universalistic concept that can perhaps be understood better in the west. Through amae the emotional root of guanxi can perhaps also become more comprehensible.

Superficial Modernization, Deep Assimilation - Does Confucianism exist in modern consumption habits? 02-05-2010

'Self-help' books, now very popular in China, might seem to contradict the roots of Chinese tradition. However, traditional Chinese principles such as Li 礼, the effect of ritual on the inner spirit and the lack of distinction between 'superficial' and 'deep' cultural elements are also present in the manner they are adopted in today's China. 

Confucianism – New Agent of Modernity? 01-04-2010
Confucianism (儒家思想) nowadays isn't being revived only in a nostalgic fashion, but is also being modified into a value system justifying China's unique form of capitalism.
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