China

Country Information

A country of striking natural formations and ancient architecture, China is an awe-inspiring, friendly, and delightful country. Discover this land of centuries-old temples and imperial palaces set amidst gleaming skyscrapers; become part of one of the most dynamic societies in the world. China is also the most populated country in the world.

Stories

Lifestyle and Family

The Confucian ethic of proper social and family relationships forms the foundation of Chinese society. The Chinese have a strong sense of family, and they respect hierarchy and interpersonal obligations. Parents expect to know when their children are going out and where they are going. Because parents tend to take a keen interest in their children’s education and expect them to study hard, they will typically set limits on going out or on recreational activities that might interfere with schoolwork. In addition, parents often encourage the active involvement of the school in their child’s upbringing.

Often, both parents in a family work outside the home. Families generally include one child, and it is not uncommon for a grandparent to live with the family.

Teen Life and Sports

Chinese students spend a great deal of their day in school engaged in studying. As described above, much of a Chinese teenager’s life revolves around his or her school. When not at school or engaged in school activities, teenagers get together at friends’ homes, go to movies, watch television or play sports. Soccer, ping-pong, handball, volleyball, basketball, Chinese traditional martial arts, and dance are all popular pastimes.

Chinese teenagers seldom date. Instead, they often socialize with their classmates and go out in single-sex groups. Dates are not unheard of, but neither are they encouraged. Public touching or displays of affection between a male and female of any age is unusual, though it is not unusual for schoolmates of the same sex to walk hand in hand or with an arm around one another.

Diet

Chinese diet consists more of vegetables, rice and noodles than of meat. Noodles and dumplings are popular in the north, while rice dishes are more common in the south. Chinese cuisine is varied and delicious with a wide spectrum of textures and tastes. Western food is widely available, but is a luxury that is considered expensive.

Language and Religion

Mandarin Chinese (the national language) is spoken by more than 70% of the population and is also used in Singapore and Malaysia. China has 55 different ethnic groups, each with its own language or dialect.

Officially China is an atheist country, although it is not unusual to find some small religious groups as Taoists and Buddhists. Muslims represent 1% – 2% of the population and Christians 3% – 4%.