GUANGZHOU Event report
Conference: Decoding Chinese Culture: From Ancient Wisdom to Modern Minds
On April 16, 2026, CCI FRANCE CHINE and HKCCGD hosted a hybrid conference on this topic. The event featured Mr. QU Huiquan, Director of the renowned Yuexiu Academy of Classic Learning.
The session began with an exploration of China’s business logic, which is rooted in 2,500 years of Confucian thought. Our speaker emphasized that it starts with self-cultivation: credibility, discipline, and integrity come before transactions.
The discussion then turned to a critical cultural gap: Western firms tend to focus on outcomes, while Chinese partners assess character first. Mr. QU explained how the Five Ethics shape workplace dynamics:
- Hierarchy defines responsibility
- Trust drives peer collaboration
- Experience commands respect
- Harmony is not consensus; it is balance
Success in China, the speaker noted, requires aligning behavior with core values including integrity, trustworthiness, and relational intelligence. Cultural understanding shapes execution, negotiation, and partnerships. Those who align with these codes build stronger ties and avoid costly misunderstandings. Those who ignore them face friction at every stage.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Mr. QU Huiquan and all participants for their valuable contributions.
