Although it came about more than 2,500 years ago, Confucianism (儒家思想, [rújiā sīxiǎng]) is still key to understanding Chinese society as we know it today. It is not an “ancient” philosophy; you will, in fact, still encounter Confucian values in contemporary Chinese politics, education, and personal relationships. For those studying Chinese, understanding this influence plays an essential role in comprehending both the country’s language and culture.

Government

One of the fundamental concepts of Confucianism is the importance of leading by example to inspire the people. Confucius (孔子, [Kǒngzǐ]) believed that a good politician does not rule with force, but instead guides with virtue and “moral rectitude”. This idea of leaders as role models continues to influence the vision of government in China today, where values such as stability, social harmony (社会和谐, [shèhuì héxié]), and national unity are held very highly.

Education

Education (教育, [jiàoyù]) is another central pillar. Confucius saw learning not only as a way of acquiring knowledge, but as a path to personal growth and virtue. Today, this belief lives on in the emphasis the Chinese place on national exams (such as the 高考 [gāokǎo]) and academic excellence. Schools uphold traditional values such as “filial piety” (孝, [xiào]), loyalty (忠, [zhōng]), and respect for elders and teachers.

Family

Another enduring aspect of this philosophy is the perception of family as the foundation of social order. Essentially, the idea that the wellbeing of the community begins at home. The Chinese language places a huge emphasis on people’s attitudes and behaviour when it comes to their family. Many terms reflect carefully structured familial hierarchies and social relationships. Nowadays, family remains a key part of the Chinese way of life, a fact that is clearly reflected in how families take responsibility for elderly parents.

Work

Confucian values can also be found in the workplace, where obedience, hierarchy and respectful personal relationships (关系[guānxi]) are still highly valued.

Foreign policy

Traces of Confucian thought even stretch all the way to China's foreign policy. Set phrases such as "to coexist in harmony, not uniformity" (和而不同, [hé ér bùtóng]) reflect a commitment to diplomacy, built on balance and coexistence.

In recent years, the Chinese government has attempted to revitalize Confucian values to reinforce cultural identity, respect for tradition, and social unity. However, this trend has faced some backlash. Some people believe it reinforces strict hierarchical structures and gender inequality, and highlight the challenges of applying these values in modern life.

Even so, if you want to understand the very essence of Chinese culture – from its roots to its current transformation – Confucianism is absolutely the place to start.