Preview of "Understanding China"

Introduction -

I was born and grew up in Singapore while my dad was born in southern China. He had been brought to Malaysia at the age of three by his parents. Both of my maternal grandparents were also born in China. They all left China during the times of war, hardship, and chaos. Famine was widespread, and my paternal great grandmother starved to death in her hometown. My dad only had one year of primary school education due to the outbreak of World War II in Malaysia at that time. However, he never gave up learning and through self-study, he taught himself to read novels, newspaper, and academic books. He had a bookshelf with no less than a hundred of his favorite books covering history, biographies, philosophies, novels, fables, and legends, and loved to share his beliefs and insights with me. He taught me who we were, why we were like that, morals and principles of life, as well as the glory and misery throughout the Chinese history. I read all his books before turning fourteen. He was instrumental in shaping thoughts, insights, and values which have governed my whole life. I am truly a Chinese descendant now living in a multiracial society in Singapore with strong influences of Western and Chinese cultures, morals, and values. Whenever I am asked where my homeland is, I always tell them it is Singapore. I am proud to be part of this country where different races, religions, cultures, and mindsets coexist without acrimony on a tiny dot on the globe. 28 years of employment in American multi-national corporations further taught me to appreciate different cultures, philosophies, morals, and values. And I am still practicing American management styles, strategies, codes of conduct, and business ethics today, even though I have lived and worked in China for more than 20 years. All these experiences helped me to comprehend the changes I saw in China from a na?ve and shy country during my first arrival in 1989 to an assertive and proud nation today. The country now has more self-esteem and deals with foreigners comfortably and confidently. Patriotism in China is running high now, and the nation will not take intimidation easily from other countries! Being of the Chinese race, I am pleased that China is now revitalizing. My father would be very delighted too if he was still alive. Given my multi-cultural background, I maneuvered easily between my Western colleagues and clients with Chinese parties. My ability to provide clear explanations and illustrations on the expectations and behavior of both sides helped to foster better mutual understanding and less suspicion so that we could conclude deals in an amiable manner. It was during those years of facilitating negotiations, exchanges, and meetings, that I realized both sides need to understand each other more. This would help to enhance businesses, inter-relationships, and peace. I wanted to write a book candidly illustrating the differences and similarities of the two cultures to help them get closer. Business commitments (or procrastination) prevented me from taking up the pen. What I did instead was post some blogs on my company website to depict my impromptu insights at that moment. I received many good comments and encouragement to write more. Nothing moved until my good friend, Henry Wong, a fellow Singaporean who has been living in the USA for many years, pushed me. The U.S. released a documentary “Misunderstanding China” just prior to President Richard Nixon’s inaugural visit to China in 1972. It opened the eyes of Western viewers to a China which they did not know about then. This helped to gain public approval for his visit, as China was a communist state at that time. It still is today! The Cold War with Russian had made Americans apprehensive and skeptical about communist countries. It is my wish this book will enlighten Western readers with more in-depth knowledge and insights about the people and country called “China.” China is so diverse and complex that no one can fully understand or explain it. Not even the Chinese themselves. You can find many Chinese writers and academics still debating among themselves ferociously about the core values, philosophies, historic accounts, and what constitutes Chinese identity. It is impossible to have one common voice for 1.3 billion people. The recent changes in China in the last five years have been phenomenal! Not only have we have seen its rapid development in industry and technology capabilities, but its military power and foreign affairs are just awesome. I am not attempting to exaggerate China achievements, nor am I lauding its glory and power. I just want to present what it was previously, what it once went through, and what the nation is right now. My purpose is to depict facts and actual situations happening in China which are not reported adequately in the foreign countries. It is not my intention to also show the weaknesses and malicious behavior of the Chinese. When you want to deal with the Chinese either as friends or foe, you need to know about the negative sides of the other party for tactical purposes. But you never hold these views as the guide, otherwise you will always misjudge the Chinese. Instead, you should find out their strengths and leverage them so that you can handle them appropriately. Knowing the strengths of the Chinese is what makes you successful in your endeavors with them. This book is beneficial to those foreigners who want to conduct businesses or activities with the Chinese whether in their home countries or in China itself. Like Sun Zi (孙子) said in his renowned book The Art of War, “If you know your enemy and you know yourself, you need not fear the results of a hundred battles – 知己知 彼 百战百胜.” I am not advocating taking on the Chinese as foes. The first few things you need to know about are their background, behaviors, likes, and dislikes. You want to establish a good relationship with your neighbor. Don’t you? Chinese nationals may also find this book helpful to enhance their understanding of their culture, history, and customs, from the view of an overseas Chinese person, while also catching a glimpse of how other foreigners see them.

Calipe Chong (Author)

https://www.understandingchina.net