Chinese social relations - Definition and Overview

Chinese social relations are typified by a reciprocal social network. Often social obligations within the network are characterized in familial terms. The individual link within the social network is known by guanxi and the feeling within the link is known by the term ganqing. Social relations are often expressed by the exchange of gifts. An important concept within Chinese social relations is the concept of face and many other Oriental cultures. A Buddhist-related concept is yuanfen.

Unlike other societies, Chinese tend to see social relations in terms of networks rather than boxes. Hence, people are perceived as being "near" or "far" rather than "in" or "out".

See also

• Chinese tea culture
• culture of China
• face (social custom)
• ganqing
• guanxi
• kowtow
• red packet