About Chinese Society

Chinese society is as ancient as human history. The historical record dates back 5000 years, yet it remains a mysterious place to most of the world. The Chinese are gentle, caring people who hold onto social traditions and values that are deeply rooted in their cultural history. The misconception of the greater world community is that China is populated by “Chinese” people. But, this is not true. There are over 50 different cultures in China and over 100 languages. It is a vast and diverse nation of great resources and beauty.

There are, of course, the great historical sites: The Great Wall, The Forbidden City, and The Terracotta Warriors of Xian. These are among the most marvelous tourist attractions in the world. The vastness of the country means that varied terrain in abundance gives visitors some of the most breathtaking scenery on the planet. Political history abounds at every turn as one travels the country. The marks left by the Mongols, the great Imperial Dynasties and the Communist movement are everywhere to be seen.

While most Westerners are intimidated to a degree by China, the Chinese people do not see themselves as a competitor nation to the United States and Europe. The average Chinese person will tell you, “China is a third world nation. We are poor, but we are modernizing and improving the conditions everyday.” The effects of the “Opening Up” of the late 1970’s and 1980’s are coming to fruition in the early part of the 21st Century as the economic growth and prosperity reaches more and more of the population, deeper and deeper into the countryside.

The reason for the mystery and the misunderstandings about China are due to closure. China has endured a history of invasion: the Mongols and Genghis Kahn, the Imperial Dynasty of the Qing Empire from Manchuria, the invasion by Western Nations in the 19th Century and the rape of the nation by invading Japanese in the 1930’s and 1940’s. China’s reaction historically when they have been in periods of self rule has been to close off and “wall” themselves in. The Great Wall of China is a physical reminder of the threats that the populous have endured historically. It is a monument to the strength of the Chinese people against these invasions and their ability to survive. But, isolationism has a cost. The great leaders of the post-Maoist modernization have understood that, when China isolates herself, she becomes weak.

If you choose to travel to China, you will be participating in one of the greatest political and social revolutions that the world has ever experienced. You will meet the Chinese people. You will not be prepared for what you will feel and see. To the Chinese, family and friends are the most important things in the world. Physical health and comfort is a close second. Unlike the West, where material wealth and gain and position in society are the benchmarks for which persons strive , in China, family is first. It is ironic to listen to our leaders, both political and religious, beg for a return to family values. For, in China, those values have never left the people. Remember, when you make a friend in China, it is forever. When you have family in China, you will sacrifice all, even your life, for them.

The great “Opening Up” and the resultant economic revolution have brought prosperity to China and has greatly improved living conditions. This has had and impact on and been the result of the educational system’s development in the last 25 years. In other words, as the nation prospers, education improves, which leads to even greater prosperity. The children of China in this generation are truly blessed. Due simply to the massive population in China, one half of the world speaks a dialect of Chinese while the other half of the world’s populations speaks all of the other languages on the planet. But, in all of these countries outside of China, English is being taught and spoken more and more everyday. Since 1989, the children of China have been taught Mandarin Chinese, the accepted national language of China, and English. This means that this generation of Chinese children will be the first in world history to be able to travel the world and be understood. There is tremendous opportunity for them if they can master English.

As a teacher from CNET, you will be going to China to assist the nation in the modernization process. The children you teach and reach will grow up to change, not only their own nation, but the world. By being an American presence in the country, by taking your talents and gifts and sharing them with the youth of China, you will serve as an ambassador to bridge the gap of understanding between our peoples. China stands at the threshold of modern history. Her children, with their great intelligence, sense of humor and gentle upbringing are ready to burst upon the world scene and make this tired globe a better place for us all to live. The future leaders of their new world, a soon to be free world, need your assistance.

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