Understanding China: There is Reason for the Difference

by Gary Moreau

With the meteoric rise of China over the past decades comes an increase in the number of people who are drawn to the Middle Kingdom for travel and business, along with a corresponding surge in guidebooks on Chinese culture and business etiquette. But such books only brush the surface. Author Gary Moreau discovered the hard way that being an effective businessperson in China takes more than just learning what to expect and how to react in different situations. He realized he had to understand not just how our cultures differ but why they differ. In Understanding China , Moreau offers a fascinating exploration of why the Chinese exhibit different beliefs and behaviors, beginning by comparing the Chinese and Western worldviews as they evolved from the foundational influences of Confucius and Aristotle, respectively. Based on his personal experiences and observations from living and working in Beijing since 2007, the book discusses the significance of the Chinese worldview in the business climate, living environment, and politics of China. Whether your interest is in travel, living abroad, business, or gaining insight into one of the most important players on the world stage today, this engaging book delivers deeper understanding of this captivating culture.

322 pages, Paperback

Published October 9, 2015

About the author

I am a retired C-suite executive who worked in the manufacturing and consumer sectors for 45 years, with job titles that included financial analyst, CSCO, President, and CEO. For 14 years I was the General Manager of the Asia Pacific region of a US industrial company, living in Beijing, China.

I have also served on the board of directors of four public companies in the US and Canada, serving in various posts including Chairman, Audit Committee and Lead Director. I was selected for the 1993 class of Global Leaders for Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum. And I have worked in the private equity sector and as a management coach in the consulting sector.

An author of numerous books, my latest being Unintended Consequences: The Science of Context. I also publish a free weekly newsletter on substack called Context. You can see my latest newsletter by going to substack.com and searching for Gary Moreau.

My entire CV is on LinkedIn and you can contact me through that website. I currently live in the US.

Reviews

[Camilla Ly · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who grew up in the Western world but was always taught by the Asian (in particular Chinese) culture and traditions this was such an interesting read! Learnt a lot and actually did help me understand certain aspects of China that aren’t really commonly discussed.