Chinese society today is predominantly

values. How true is this statement?

influenced

by

western

After the opening up of China in 1978, there has been an influx of

foreign values and ideas into China. While modem Chinese society
is accepting towards western values, it is simultaneously rooted in
its traditional culture and historical ties, resulting in the formation
of a society that is essentially inclusive and heterogeneous.
Though western values are appealing to the younger generations
and
the
urbanites,
having
drastically
transformed
the
demographics of the country and lifestyles of many, they do not
have the predominant
influence
on
the
Chinese
mindset.
Moreover, those living in the rural regions and those from the
more isolated minority communities are insulated from western
influences.
Therefore,
I
disagree
that
Chinese
society
is
predominantly influenced by western values.
Western values have radically transformed the lifestyles and
individual habits of Chinese today, especially those of the coastal
cities and those from the younger generation. Western pop
culture, fashion, entertainment and cuisine are popular among
many people. In major cities, coffee drinking is gradually replacing
traditional tea consumption as the tea break sustenance. Chinese
have also become bolder at expressing themselves and seeking
social attention. Emphasis on individual freedom or on seeking
individual gratification, a supposedly western value, has resulted in
the occurrence of many unprecedented social trends. These
include many more Chinese staying single, higher cohabitation
rate and divorce rate. Like their western counterparts, many
Chinese couples also prefer to have nuclear families over extended
ones.
Western beliefs and religions have also gained widespread
followings amongst many Chinese. The emergence of western
religions like Catholicism and Protestantism has resulted in
massive religious conversion among the Chinese people, especially
in the post Maoist era where many needed to refill their spiritual
void. Today, there are at least 20million Christians worshipping in
official churches. There are 50000 registered churches and 18
theological schools. Without state sanction, it is estimated that
there are at least 50million to 70million Chinese citizens practicing
Christianity in China. Numerous unregistered Christian house
churches and Bible Study group has also been formed. Attendance
in churches is increasing dramatically. Since 2000, the number of
Christians and Catholics in China has fivefold.
Western standards and values are appealing to many as they
correspond to Chinese aspiration for their country's development.
Western values respect ideas such as human rights, freedom of
expression and other democratic values that are advocated by
Chinese intellectual and social activists. The Chinese are also
preoccupied with concerns for the environment and recently even
animal rights which are trends imported from the west. This is
seen
by
the
formation
of
numerous
Non-governmental
organizations to serve as watchdogs for abuse of human and
animal and also to remedy environmental degradation. Labor
movements are spontaneously carried out in cities with large

migrant population. As such consumption of domestic animals like

dogs and cats is quickly becoming unpopular.
Despite the influx of western values after 1978, certain traditional
Chinese values remain deeply entrenched in the Chinese society. I spite
of the emergence of many cosmopolitan coastal cities and the success
of its market reforms, the Chinese society is steeped in its traditional
thinking. "Guanxi or interpersonal skill is widely practiced even in
business and official matters. The notion of saving one's face or
"mianzi" is an important social preoccupation. The respect of hierarchy
and hence authority is still a hallmark of modem Chinese culture.
Chinese families remain paternalistic. Most individuals are committed
to familial obligations and the upholding of one's family name. Before
major Chinese festivals like the Chinese New Year and the Mooncake
festival, millions of Chinese that are working away from home would
return to their hometown for reunion with their family.
Modernization of the Chinese society also includes other non-western
influences. Korean and Japanese cultures and cuisines are popular
among the Chinese. For example, Japanese manga, Korean drama
serials and their food like sushi, kimchi and sashimi are well-liked
by the Chinese, especially the younger generation. Chinese TV
shows are modeled after Taiwanese variety shows and they adopt
plots of Hong Kong dramas. Confucianism corporate culture of
Japan and Korea is emulated by the Chinese. In fact, the
preservation of many ancient cultures by Japan, Korea, Hong Kong,
Taiwan and other South East Asian societies have spurred many
Chinese to restore their traditions. As a result, traditional faiths like
Buddhism and Daoism have become customary again. The
government has also funded the purchase of lost artifacts from
oversea auctions.
Meanwhile, Chinese living in the countryside and those from the
more isolated minority communities are minimally exposed to
western influences. Due to geographical remoteness of the inland
provinces, many ethnic minorities are relatively insulated from
traditional influences. Minorities like the Tibetans and the Uyghurs
are highly committed to their religious living and they treat all
other foreign
influences
with
scorn
and contempt. As a
consequence of the Maoist-socialist background, rural Chinese are
also largely traditional as they value their communal way of life.
Rural folks continue to lead their centuries-old lifestyle of farming
and fishing high up in the mountains. Discrimination of the
feminine gender and practices of infanticides are commonplace in
the countryside.
Governmental campaigns since 1978 have also contributed to the
undermining of western ideas and the promotion of Chinese
traditions. Since the beginning of the 1980s, CCP has treated
western ideas with distrust and hostilities. Western values are
often blamed for causing social instability and moral decadence of
China. For example, Deng Xiao Ping haslaunched campaigns to
curb the purported "spiritual pollution" of China. Under the
campaigns, Christian house churches and groupings found to be
affiliated with western religious organizations are mercilessly
clamped down. The Vaticans have to power over the appointment
of any Chinese Catholic bishops. Harsh censorship is imposed on
the propagation of western media and on many western movies.
On the other hand, traditional festivals and ideology are revived
by governmental efforts. Hu Jing Tao's advocacy of a "Harmonious
Society" is an example of this.

All in all, despite the influx of western values and its popularity
among many, the Chinese society is highly heterogeneous and it
includes
other
foreign
and
domestic
influences
as
well.
Furthermore, certain groups of Chinese like those living in the rural
areas and some ethnic minority groups are still largely intact from
western influences. Therefore, it cannot be said that western
values have predominantly influenced the Chinese culture. Given
the
presence
of
a
distinct
socio-political
background
and
established traditions, it is improbable that the Chinese society will
ever be predominantly influence by western values.