After living in China for 12+ years, here’s what I think the West doesn’t understand about China
I had two conversations within the span of two days
One was with a Chinese friend, who was sharing about their perspectives living in US, which she found to be more messy, chaotic, combative, and less efficient, she shared how they think it’s different how they focus on the individual more (which can hinder the overall efficiency and results of the group), rather than the more pragmatic and practical.
Another conversation with someone from the US who couldn’t understand the need in China for facial recognition to enter buildings, and how they found it creepy. I tried to explain to them that most Chinese people don’t share those concerns, they see the state as an extension of the family, and are more concerned with efficiency, harmony, social responsibility and how well things actually work and are more welcoming of the use of technology for security and efficiency.
The key difference between the two conversations was that the Chinese person described it as being more centralist and efficient and the other described it as being authoritarian.
Collectivism Vs Individualism
In China harmony, and social responsibility are more important.
I am from Britain, with British, Welsh, and Irish ancestors and consider myself to be individualistic.
I have lived in China for over 12 years and so I believe I understand how both sides think.
I was in China during one of the most fascinating times in history. It is probably one of the periods of fastest wealth creation and human development in the history of the world.
There is a significant gap in the west because many people have got their information about China from social media or other forms of media.
I believe the simplistic narrative about China that we have in the west, is used more as a tool, to unite people against a common enemy.
But it’s important to rise above that to seek a deeper, more nuanced, accurate understanding.
I think it’s important to seek to understand China and how they think and that seeking to do so can improve the world.
Why is China how it is? You can explain China in a number of ways, looking at confucianism, cultural reasons, but I think a lot of the difference comes from Geography and looking into the history of China and how it has developed.
I believe we are very much a product of our environment.
China is effectively a large self-sufficient river basin of three rivers which is protected by the himalayas, and has been self-sufficient off or isolated from the world, and this has lead to the unique aspects of Chinese culture.
Whereas Europe is quite different. It’s effectively a collection of small-easily protected areas.
This difference has lead to different ways of thinking:
Individualism Vs Collectivism.
Almost like many small cups, vs one large basin.
As an island the UK has been quite insulated from the perpetual threat of a better-organised mass.
The geography of Europe itself is divided by peninsulas, mountains, rivers.
This has enabled different groups of people to survive and thrive and develop their own cultures.
Our history is one of individual rights, personal identity and liberty.
And for Europe, our most prosperous times were those of greatest competition.
The renaissance, the industrial revolution.
Throughout history, extreme inter state and city state rivalry and competition encouraged individual risk-taking and innovation.
Despite repeated attempts, the European continent has never successfully been united.
And the lessons of history of Britain and Europe lead to certain conclusions.
Individualism.
But China’s geography is very different.
With its massive agricultural plains and huge river systems like the Yellow and Yangtze rivers it needs centralized control.
Looking through China’s history, the most prosperous times of China’s history were those of unity, and centralised control.
The Song, Han, Tang, Ming dynasties.
Because China’s geography is fundamentally different.
You need someone to centrally manage water resources to reap the benefits of irrigation, protection, and flood control.
Because it’s all one system.
You need to control the whole river to be secure.
It’s like how a railway is a natural monopoly.
And if there is disagreement then the whole system breaks down.
The optimum solution is to be united and part of the whole system.
And reading the history of both, the lessons of history in China and Europe are fundamentally different and lead to different conclusions.
I think it’s important to understand what are the underlying instincts and where they come from.
Our instincts for individualism and seeing others as competition, and China’s for centralisation and harmony.
Of course, there is more to this:
– China has a great deal of diversity.
– The West is not totally individualistic, the best companies in the west are not run purely by committee.
– Neither is perfect, both sides have their advantages and disadvantages
– Culture is always changing
But I believe that if we seek to understand China more accurately, it can lead to a better world: “when two cultures collide” or we seek to work together.
Understanding is the first step in bridging the gap.
First seek to understand, then seek to be understood.
I’ll leave with a quote from Lee Kuan Yew, ethnically Chinese, educated at LSE and Cambridge, and recommend his book: “One Man’s View of the World”
“To understand China and what it will be like in 20 years’ time, you have to know what sort of people and society they are. For 5,000 years, the Chinese have believed that the country is safe only when the centre is strong. A weak centre means confusion and chaos. A strong centre leads to a peaceful and prosperous China. Every Chinese understands that. It is their cardinal principle, drawn from deep-seated historical lessons. There will not be a deviation from this principle any time soon. It is a mindset that predates communism. It has existed for centuries, for millennia.”
“What about the US? It’s geography is different as a centralised system?” Yes but it was founded on the European principles of individualism.
“What about the European Union?” There have been many attempts to unite the continent before with Napoleon and Hitler. The success of the union depends on its ability to manage multiple cultures and languages and systems, and Brexit proves my point.
“What about the united Roman empire?” This also proves my point. It was highly centralised at a time when the mediterranean provided huge benefits as a center for transport and trade.
These things are always changing, I believe with the rise of technology, and as our world becomes smaller, and more interconnected, our environment and geography is effectively changing. Rivers and mountains are becoming less important in shaping how we communicate and travel and who we become, while they do shape our inherent instincts. We need to be having a higher level of public understanding, openness and debate and discussion the kind of governance, organisation and culture likely to be most successful in this era, and how best to arrange ourselves and therefore the kind of culture we want to create.
