Business Communication Blogging Project

We, from Sunway College's FIA July intake, Group 4 of 

Business Communication are proud to present China's Culture.   

Aris Looi Pei Min - 13036017
Wong Gee Gee - 13040860
Tee Sueh Teng - 13038062
Khew Yan Mei - 13024468
Jolynn Yeoh Kim Lyn - 13035761
Chew Li Yin - 13049879
Shio Lee Suz Syen - 13038096

Introduction - Business Culture

Business in China is a matter of “Guanxi” (connections). Government and government-sponsored institutions have large roles in business operations. It is essential that good relationships are established between the businesses’ for successful connection building projects.

Furthermore, the notion of “Keqi”, based on the amalgamation of two Chinese words, ‘ke’ representing ‘guest’ and ‘qi’ signifying ‘behaviour’. The concept implies thoughtful, courteous and refined characteristics. In business, it is vital to exhibit modesty and humility while patience is a virtue as negotiations tend to be long and arduous.

Confucianism, the distinguished ethical belief system of Confucian is emphasized. The concept of relationships and elements of responsibility and obligations remains a vital cultural factor in the development of Chinese society and business culture. 

Therefore, we can deduce that China is a high-context culture. 

Business In Ancient China

In ancient China, the Chinese people traded among themselves with silk, cattle, iron, fish, and salt. 

Additionally, they traded with faraway places like Greece and India through the Silk Road. The Silk Road is one of the world’s oldest and most historical network of interlinking trade routes across the Afro-Eurasian landmass that connected East, South, and Western Asia with the Mediterranean and European world, as well as parts of North and East Africa. 

Extending 4,000 miles (6,437 kilometres), the Silk Road gets its name from the lucrative Chinese silk trade which was carried out along its length, and began during the Han Dynasty (206 BC – 220 AD), as silk was the major trade item from China. 

It is not only an important transportation route connecting the ancient world, but also a synonym for economic and cultural exchanges between the Western world and the oriental world.

Calligraphy an Aesthetic Sense

In the past, one of the many ways Chinese presented their business statement was by using Chinese Calligraphy.

Calligraphy has endured for more than 2,000 years. Even today, these are still pursued and practiced as a hobby. In China, calligraphy occupies a distinguished position in the field of traditional arts.

           

Calligraphy was paid with utmost attention because an examinee must portray his literary talent in the prestigious Imperial Examination, as it contributed great impressions on the examiners.

Additionally, you will find that traditional painting involves essentially the same techniques as calligraphy, done with a brush and coloured or black ink.

  

Plum Blossom & Sparrow.Chinese Brush Painting.

Handmade Traditional Arts

Other traditional Chinese forms of art include Chinese ceramic ware which has been developing since the dynastic periods. 

           

Embroidery on the other hand is the handicraft of decorating fabric or other materials with thread or yarn using a needle. It is one of the oldest extant needlework created by the cultures located in the area that makes up modern China. 

  

Embroidery is a brilliant pearl in Chinese art. From the magnificent Dragon Robe worn by Emperors to the popular embroidery seen in today's fashions, it adds so much pleasure to our life and culture.

Performing Arts

Chinese opera is a popular form of drama and musical theatre with roots going back as far as the third century CE.

We can see that it evolved from folk songs, dances, talking, antimasque, and distinctive dialectical music. Over time, music, art and literature combined into one performance on stage. Traditional musical instruments like the Erhu, the gong, and the lute, actors present unique melodies - which may sound strange to foreigners – were used as well as dialogues which are skilfully written and of high literary value.

Moving on is The Lion Dance with a history stretching back to 2000 years. The lion, known as the king of animals, is a traditional symbol of good luck in China.

During the Lantern Festival and other festivals, the lion dance marks the beat of the frolics, bringing luck and happiness to all who contemplate it. The Lion Dance also plays an important role in the consecration of temples and other buildings, at business openings, official celebrations including planting and harvest times, and religious rites. There are even Lion Dance competitions featuring various troupes from countries far from China like Mexico.

These performing arts are something the public and ourselves can enjoy. 

Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has a wide range of medicine practices involving common concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 5,000 years, including various forms of herbal medicine, exercise, massage , acupuncture, and dietary therapy.

The compendium of material medica is a Chinese material medica work written by Li Shizhen in the Ming Dynasty which lists all the animals, plants, minerals, and other items which are believed to have medicinal properties.

Cupping is a therapy in which a specific cup or jar is attached to the skin by means of suction. In ancient times, it was done with bamboo cups or animal horns. It was used to treat external conditions on the skin and muscles such as strains, sprains and drawing out pus. It is very effective for relieving musculoskeletal pain.

Acupuncture is a collection of procedures which involved penetrating the skin with needles to stimulate certain points on the body. It is a form of alternative medicine, one of the oldest healing practices in the world. Acupuncture is utmost effective in symptomatic control of pain and nausea.

In ancient texts, Moxibustion (moxa) is tried if acupuncture and herbs have failed. The heat from moxibustion is very penetrating, making it effective for impaired circulation, cold and damp conditions, and yang deficiency. Moxa is prepared from mugwort (Artemisia vulgaris), which is a perennial herb. The aromatic leaves are dried and repeatedly sifted until they are fluffy.

The TCM industry has boomed in recent years which market ranges from US$6 billion to US$20 billion. In China, the nation is placing emphasis on the global standards of TCM production and is strengthening technological innovations.