The document discusses several aspects of language, culture, living habits, and the influences of Confucianism, Buddhism, and Daoism in China. It notes that while aspects like language, philosophy, and customs are unified across China, there is also diversity in dialects, scripts, interpretations, and regional practices. It also examines the impacts of modernization on Chinese society, economy, governance, diplomacy, and women and ethnic minorities. Key impacts include changes to family, traditions, and social roles, as well as China's increasing integration into the global order and economy.

1. Language
Unified
• Common spoken lingua
franca-Mandarin
• Common writing scriptsimplified characters
• Common terminologies, e.g.
ideology, politics, etc.
Diverse
• Different dialect groups
• Different writing scripts, .e.g
H.K. & Macau vs. Mainland
大陆/大陸
• Different terminologies, e.g.
Jiang vs. He 江/河,
fuwuyuan vs. xiaojie 服务员
/小姐

2. Culture
Unified
• Common philosophiesBuddhism, Taoism and
Confucianism
• Common religionsBuddhism, Taoism and
Confucianism
• Common customs and
festivals- Spring Festival,
Qing Ming, Mid-Autumn,
etc.
Diverse
• Different interpretations of
philosophies- More
philosophical or religious?
Han Buddhism vs. Tibetan
Buddhism
• Various forms of religionsDeity and ancestral worship
• Different ways of
celebrating festivals and
practices- Compare rituals
and practices.

3. Living Habits
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•
Unified
Family as the main unit of
society.
Frugality as a virtue
Pragmatism
Staying rooted to
homeland/hometown
(luoyeguigen 落叶归根)
Diverse
• Different eating habitscompare culinary styles
• Different interpretations to
the idea of staying rooted to
homeland/hometown
• Different ways of behavior,
based on climate and
geography.

4. Confucianism’s Influence
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•
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•
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Confucianism- Focuses on the present.
Personal development,
Values-driven,
Shapes social/communal order,
Emphasis on education as a form of success;
Shapes interpersonal relationships.

5. Buddhism’s Influence
• Buddhism- Focuses on the afterlife
• Shapes religious beliefs and rituals,
• Explains relationships

6. Daoism’s Influence
• Daoism- Focuses on extending life
• Health and diet,
• Explains relationship between nature and
man,
• Shaping religious rituals and beliefs;
• Shaping the appreciation for the arts

7. Definition of Modernization
• Globalization-Integration of China into the
global community;
• Urbanization-Improvement of China’s
infrastructure and living conditions;
• Economic reforms-Improves China’s economic
conditions from a traditional agrarian
economy to tertiary sectors;
• Influx of foreign ideas-Reception of foreign
ideas, especially from the West.

8. Impact of Modernization
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On Chinese society:
Family;
Traditions;
Culture & Customs;
Demographics;
Lifestyle;
Mindset or Perspectives

9. Impact of Modernization
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•
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On the Chinese economy:
China’s economy in the world;
China’s domestic economy;
China’s economic relations with other
countries;
• Environmental management.

10. Impact of Modernization
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On governance and legitimacy:
Methods of governance;
Socio-political stability;
CCP’s position as the sole ruling party;
Various political institutions in China;

11. Impact of Modernization
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On China’s diplomacy:
Rationale of China’s foreign policies;
China’s relations with other countries;
China’s status in the global community;
China’s roles and functions in the world today.

12. Women in China
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Traditional roles and status of women:
Housekeeper;
Child-bearer;
Submissive to male members of the family;
Under-privileged group in society

13. Women in China
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Change in role of women:
More privileges given;
Breadwinner of the family;
Taking on more important socio-economicpolitical roles;
• No longer the submissive gender.

14. Women in China
• What remains:
• Taking on multiple roles;
• Still discriminated against in family and
society;
• Abuses against women remain high;
• Social values still prejudiced against women;

15. Ethnic Minorities in China
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Grievances:
Social and economic discrimination;
Low autonomy in minorities-dominated areas;
Political distrust;
Cultural misconceptions;
Socio-cultural infringements.

16. Ethnic Minorities in China
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Reasons or Factors that give rise to grievances:
Cultural and Religious differences;
Geographical vastness;
Uneven economic development;
Different social norms
Historical differences and animosities.

17. Ethnic Minorities in China
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Policies to appease or resolve ethnic conflicts:
Economic Policies;
Cultural-Religious Policies;
Social Policies;
Political Initiatives.

18. Ethnic Minorities in China
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Effective
Increased affluence;
Better standard-of-living;
Better infrastructure;
Better social status;
Promotes cross-cultural
understanding.
Ineffective
• More misunderstanding and
conflicts;
• Widening economic gap;
• Increased exploitations.

19. Ethnic Minorities in China
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•
•
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Happy
Yunnan minorities;
Manchurians;
Koreans;
Zhuang
Unhappy
• Mongolians;
• Tibetans;
• Uyghurs