An Analysis of Diversity in Chinese Culture: Ethnicities & Religion

This essay provides an overview of the diversity within Chinese culture, emphasizing the various ethnic groups, languages, and religions that contribute to its richness. Mandarin serves as the lingua franca, while other major languages like Cantonese, Min, and Hakka are also prevalent. The religious landscape includes state-sponsored atheism alongside recognized religions such as Buddhism, Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, and Taoism. The essay highlights China's identity as a united socialist multiethnic state with a cultural heritage spanning over 5000 years, influenced by ancient philosophy and spiritualism. It also touches on the contemporary influences of Western culture and urbanization, as well as the transition towards a world culture that advocates for multiculturalism and diversity. References to academic works further support the analysis of cultural dimensions and societal dynamics within China.

Diversity in Chinese Culture
Student’s name
University

Chinese Ethnic Groups

Language and Religion
Language:
 Mandarin– Lingua Franca and majority
language
 Cantonese, Min, Hakka, Xiang, etc.– other
major languages
 Several sub-types and dialects for each
language 1.
Religion:
 State Religion-Atheism
 Other recognized religion-Buddhism,
Islam, Catholicism, Protestantism, Taoism2.
1 Hua, Shiping, and Andrew J. Nathan. Chinese political culture.
Routledge, 2016.
2Khlif, Hichem. "Hofstede’s cultural dimensions in accounting research:
a review." Meditari Accountancy Research (2016).

Culture in China
 Declared as a “united socialist multiethnic state”
 Ancient Chinese culture- Older than 5000 years
 Influenced by ancient philosophy and
spiritualism
 Displays rich heritage of architecture, painting,
literature, music, dance, sculpture and pottery3.
 Diverse dressing style, food habits and lifestyle.
 Contemporary influence of western culture and
urbanization
 Amalgamation of foreign nationals into the
traditional culture4.
 Transition towards world culture
 Advocacy of multiculturalism and diversity
3 Mackie, Jamie. "Business success among Southeast Asian Chinese: the role of culture, values, and
social structures." Market Cultures. Routledge, 2018. 129-144.
4 Mazanec, Josef A., et al. "Homogeneity versus heterogeneity of cultural values: An item-response
theoretical approach applying Hofstede's cultural dimensions in a single nation." Tourism
Management 48 (2015): 299-304

References
• Hua, Shiping, and Andrew J. Nathan. Chinese political culture. Routledge,
2016.
• Khlif, Hichem. "Hofstede’s cultural dimensions in accounting research: a
review." Meditari Accountancy Research (2016).
• Mackie, Jamie. "Business success among Southeast Asian Chinese: the role
of culture, values, and social structures." Market Cultures. Routledge, 2018.
129-144.
• Mazanec, Josef A., et al. "Homogeneity versus heterogeneity of cultural
values: An item-response theoretical approach applying Hofstede's cultural
dimensions in a single nation." Tourism Management 48 (2015): 299-304.