PIONEERS OF MODERN CHINA
Understanding the Inscrutable Chinese
by Lee Khoon Choy (Former Ambassador of Singapore)
Lee Khoon Choy was a Member of Parliament of the Republic of Singapore for 25 years starting from 1959. He was Senior Minister of State (Foreign Affairs) from 1974 to 1976, then Senior Minister of State (Prime Minister's Office) from 1976 to 1984 and also served as Singapore's Ambassador to eight countries: Egypt, Yugoslavia, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Lebanon, Indonesia, Japan and Korea. He came into contact with China in 1975 when he was Senior Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and met many PRC leaders in the capacity of a Minister. Since then, he has traveled to China more than 50 times. With his Chinese educational background, he understands Chinese history and being able to speak various dialects, he is able to communicate with the people from the various provinces. With his journalistic experience and keen observation, he is in a position to better fathom the psyche of the Chinese people. Endowed with a passion for all things cultural, he has made friends with Chinese who are leaders in different fields, such as authors, painters as well as kungfu experts. This makes him a natural commentator on “Understanding the Inscrutable Chinese”. He was awarded “Honorary Academic Member” by the Chinese Academy of Social Science for his contributions to the promotion of knowledge by giving lectures to various Chinese institutions.
Amongst the Chinese exists great cultural variety and diversity. The Cantonese care more for profit than face and are good businessmen, whereas Fujian Rén are frank, blunt and outspoken but daring and generous. Beijing Rén are more aristocratic and well-mannered, having stayed in a city ruled by emperors of different dynasties. Shanghai Rén are more enterprising, adventurous and materialistic but less aristocratic, having been at the center of pre-war gangsterism. Hainan Rén are straightforward, blunt and stubborn. Hunan Rén are more warlike and have produced more marshals and generals than any other province.
Pioneers of Modern China is a fascinating book that paints a vivid picture of the unique cultural characteristics and behavior of the Chinese in the various provinces. Using leaders in the modern history of China, such as Sun Yat Sen, Chiang Kai Shek, Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, Deng Xiaoping, Jiang Zemin, Hu Jintao and Wen Jiabao as representatives, it offers an in-depth look into the psyche of the Chinese people. It also pays tribute to writers, painters and kungfu experts, who have helped to develop the country socially and artistically.
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