Overwhelming majority population of China, 94% of the inhabitants are Chinese, who call themselves Hans (after the name of one of the ancient ruling dynasties China). The remaining 6% of the population is made up of other peoples (Tibetans, Uighurs, Mongols, etc.).
Distinctive features of the Chinese are traditionally industriousness, organization, diligence and special feeling the unity of man and nature: water, stone, wood, flowers, birds are always endowed with a symbolic meaning. For example, the dragon is the patron of mountains and rivers, the lord of the East. The tortoise is a symbol of longevity, its convex shell embodies Heaven, and its flat belly embodies the Earth.
Just as the Eurasian continent is influenced by its size, in the same way the size of China entails a variety of natural conditions. There is a sharp contrast between the West and the East of the country. Coastal regions and the Great Chinese Plain are densely populated: 1/10 of the country's territory is home to 4/5 of its population. In some places, the population density is about 1000 people per 1 km 2 (Fig. 206). In the western desert and high mountain regions - a hundred or more times lower.
The southeast of the country is one of the most densely populated areas in the world. Here, irrigated rice, tea and other heat-loving crops have been grown since ancient times on fertile soils (Fig. 207). It is here that the newest branches of industry, centers of trade and finance, such as Shanghai or Xianggang (Hong Kong), are concentrated. This area has become a showcase for China's progress, overtaking the Northeast.
The north-east of the country stands out for the extraction of the most important minerals, in particular coal and oil. The largest centers of ferrous metallurgy and mechanical engineering are located here. The western region still lags behind other regions of China in industrial development. It remains predominantly agricultural, poor and isolated. Basically, sheep, horses are bred here, in Tibet yaks. material from the site
IN countryside two out of every three Chinese citizens live. However, the number of citizens is growing rapidly. There are now more than four dozen million-plus cities alone. The high population density in villages and cities gives rise to many problems, including environmental ones. In recent decades, the government has taken harsh measures to make the family of three (parents and one child) the norm.
Largest cities - Shanghai And Beijing. Over the past decades, they have changed beyond recognition. Skyscrapers, wide highways, new residential areas appeared in them. Historic districts retain their traditional appearance, such as the area of hutons (narrow, tree-lined alleys) in the Old City of Beijing.
Questions about this item:
The various characters of peoples are a mixture of virtues and vices, good and bad qualities. There are happy mixtures that produce a lot of good, often unexpected, and there are those that just as unexpectedly produce a lot of evil.
The honesty of the Spaniards was famous at all times. Justin tells us about the loyalty they show in guarding the goods entrusted to them. They often sacrificed their lives to keep it a secret. They have maintained this loyalty to this day. All the peoples trading in Cadiz trust the Spaniards with their wealth and have never repented of it. But this fine quality, combined with their laziness, forms a combination that has harmful consequences for them: the peoples of Europe conduct before their eyes the whole trade of their monarchy.
The character of the Chinese is another mixture, the opposite of that of the Spaniards. The insecurity of existence develops in the Chinese an amazing industriousness and such an excessive thirst for acquisition that no trading nation can trust them. This well-known dishonesty of theirs kept them in Japanese trade. Not a single European merchant dared to try to conduct it on their behalf, despite the fact that their northern coastal regions offered great opportunities for this.
The Confucian ideology that dominated the country for centuries regarded China as an "island of civilization" in a sea of "barbarism" and contributed to the cultivation of nationalist sentiments among the broad masses of the population. Everything Chinese was considered as a standard of civilization and culture; accordingly, everything non-Chinese was considered inferior, imperfect. All this led to the formation of great-power Han chauvinism in China, which greatly contributed to the aggravation interethnic relations in the country. Confidence in the superiority of everything Chinese was brought to the mind of the Chinese to the absolute, which led to an uncritical perception of their historical experience, disregard for the culture and traditions of other peoples.
In addition to this, the Chinese leadership has always preached national exceptionalism of this state and people, thus forming the national pride of the Chinese based on excessive emotionality.
The Chinese have a highly developed sense national consciousness, national pride and dignity. They are proud of their history and culture, successes in social and economic development. Although the Chinese often openly and sharply criticize their shortcomings, however, as a rule, they perceive such criticism from foreigners rather painfully.
For the national feelings of the Han people, the love for the place where he was born and raised, close ties with fellow countrymen, and mutual support are very characteristic. This is clearly manifested abroad, in the creation of compatriotic unions, in China, when appointed to leadership positions, etc. In the PRC, there are certain stereotypes about the characteristics of natives of different regions of the country. So, it is believed that the Hunanese are stubborn, the Shandong people are frank and quick-tempered, the Sichuan people are talkative, that the most beautiful women in Suzhou. The characteristic of various regions is visible in the well-known Chinese proverb that it is best to “be born in Suzhou, grow up in Hangzhou, eat in Guangzhou, die in Luizhou” (i.e., Suzhou is the most beautiful, Hangzhou has the best climate, Guangzhou has the best cuisine, Luizhou has dry soil, in which the body is best preserved after death).
Chinese writing has largely shaped the Chinese character. First, the language has isolated the Chinese from other people and over 5,000 years has created a huge difference between China and the rest of the world. Secondly, there is a relationship between written Chinese and thinking of the people of this country. Hieroglyphs in a sense protect China from the invasion of a foreign culture and the imposition of foreign traditions. foreign words, written with the help of hieroglyphs, acquire a new content. So, the name of the American drink "Coca-Cola", written using 4 hieroglyphs "ke kou ke le", literally translates as "you can mouth, you can joy." The relationship between Chinese thinking and written language can be well demonstrated by transmission Chinese characters the word "brotherhood". For Russian, this word means "family relations, community, friendship." The Chinese convey this word in writing with the help of two signs - “big brother” and “younger brother”. In their understanding, this is a subordinate relationship in which the younger brother depends on the older one. Therefore, during the period of Soviet-Chinese friendship, to be in the position of " younger brother for the Chinese was insulting. The Chinese did not like the fact that the USSR occupied more high position compared to one of ancient countries peace.
Chinese mentality - mirror reflection mentality of Europeans. "System software” in the head of the Chinese works, as it were, the other way around. The white arrow in the compass of the Chinese points south, the word order in the Chinese sentence is directly opposite to the word order in most languages of the world, the Chinese color of mourning is white. The behavior of the Chinese is also almost the exact opposite of the behavior of the European. Chinese politeness is, in our understanding, “anti-politeness”. What a European perceives as gallantry is a simple calculation for most Chinese. The Chinese, who invites you to enter the premises first, assumes that you will give him this right. Often, the Chinese perceive and interpret the actions of foreigners in their own way. A classic confirmation of this can be an interview given by Mao Zedong to an American journalist about how J.V. Stalin personally served him in 1950: during a visit to Moscow, during which the Chinese leader begged the Soviet leadership for help (including in creation of a Chinese nuclear weapons), at the "near dacha" Stalin, acting as a hospitable host, personally served tea to Mao and made his bed before going to bed. Mao Zedong then interpreted these actions as the desire of the Soviet leadership to serve China, and the leader the greatest country, who defeated fascism, presented as his personal batman.
Of course, this parable can be attributed to the remnants of the cooling of relations between our countries, which lasted almost 30 years. Nevertheless, when studying peoples, it is necessary to investigate the most striking features of their national character. Of course, the Chinese are different (as well as representatives of any nation), but it is possible to build a certain general model of the qualities inherent in most people of a particular nationality.
Experts identify the following characteristic features of the Chinese people: patience, suggestibility (developing into fanaticism), discipline, collectivism, generosity to a friend, patriotism, high self-esteem, perseverance and solidarity. Most of these traits are positive (with the exception of fanaticism and inflated self-esteem). The main qualities of the Chinese nation have evolved over centuries and millennia. Basically, the formation of such traits as collectivism, perseverance, cohesion, discipline and patience was influenced by external factors determined by natural conditions, the nature of life and work activities of the Chinese. To combat natural disasters(floods, typhoons, droughts) required the joint actions of many thousands and even millions of people. The method of production was based on the principle of collective cultivation of the land, requiring additional efforts to create irrigation facilities. The crowding of living and the constant environment of an individual with a multitude of his own kind contributed to the suppression of individualistic character traits and the development of collectivism.
One of the most noticeable manifestations of the Chinese national character is the outward peacefulness, goodwill and hospitality. When greeting each other on the street, the Chinese ask each other the question “Ni jingtian chifanle ma?”, which literally means: “Have you eaten today?” Of course, such a manifestation of concern for one's neighbor is rooted in a hungry past. Today's Chinese perceive it as Americans greeting each other with the traditional "How are you? As for Americans, the interlocutor's answer means nothing to the modern Chinese.
Speaking of food. Europeans have a very misconception about Chinese cuisine. We tend to imagine the Chinese table as a very tasty and varied set of exquisitely prepared dishes. In practice, about 98% of modern Chinese eat poorly and monotonously. Most residents can afford to eat meat dishes and prepare dishes that we consider Chinese folk only on holidays. On the daily table of the overwhelming number of Chinese food of plant origin prevails. The opportunity to eat enough of the food that you can choose is associated by the majority of the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire with well-being, and the view of an obese person, unhealthy from the point of view of a European, is associated with wealth.
The limited resources of food, minerals, and land have developed in the Chinese hypertrophied thrift, pragmatism, and prudence. The pragmatic Chinese calculates down to the smallest detail the most economical way to achieve his goal. In conditions of constant malnutrition, generations have grown up for whom it was important not to waste excess energy. The pragmatism and prudence of the Chinese manifest themselves in private life.
The way the Chinese consume alcoholic beverages is remarkable. Unlike the Russians, who are accustomed to drinking chilled vodka, the Chinese heat the alcohol and drink it in small glasses so that the alcohol is immediately absorbed into the bloodstream and the state of intoxication sets in faster. The pragmatism of the Chinese is also evident in politics. When at the end of the 1980s the PRC leadership decided to build 100 launchers for nuclear intercontinental missiles (in the USSR and the USA their number was already several thousand at that time), it proceeded from the fact that this particular number of missiles should be enough for China to intimidate a potential enemy and deter his attack. Construction more missiles were possible, but the Chinese wisely reasoned that this could be a burden on their economy.
Along with such a scrupulous attitude to everything material, life in China is valued low. This applies both to the life of animals (perceived only as potential food), and to human life. I would like to recall two stories from the life of the Chinese of the PRC era. The first is the fight against sparrows, which, according to the leadership of the PRC, ate too much grain, for which they themselves were eaten. The second is the war in Korea, when American soldiers went crazy, seeing how the first wave of attacking Chinese "volunteers", practically destroyed by heavy fire, was replaced by a second, third, and then new streams human bodies. Of course, in the latter case, we could talk about the heroism of the Chinese, if we did not know about the existence of their traditional idea that physical death is preferable to "loss of face." Death on the battlefield for the Chinese in that war was a lesser evil than the possibility of being shot for fleeing from the enemy. The most important quality The Chinese is also patriotism, the willingness to sacrifice oneself for the sake of the interests of the country. According to the Chinese of the second half of the twentieth century, a person is just a cog in the billion-dollar mechanism of the state. The interests of the state require sacrifice. According to the foreign press, in 1989 alone, during the suppression of the speeches of Chinese students, about 30 thousand participants in street riots were shot. Their lives were sacrificed without hesitation for the stability of the state.
Chinese patriotism is based on centuries of history this country. The Chinese are very arrogant towards representatives of other peoples, considering the history of their state the most ancient, they believe that " Chinese culture 7000 years." Historians will deny this. But Chinese history is heavily mythologized. Main part historical events in China became the subjects of works of art. It is on them that Chinese schoolchildren are trained. For the Chinese, these books are not so much for the study of historical events, but for imitation in modern times. In China, examples are often cited from medieval history to explain the events and policies of the PRC in the second half of the twentieth century. Chinese children study the characters of the epic and learn from the fictional actions of their heroes. Gathered together in single directory, generalizing the basic morality of ancient Chinese works of art, "sanshilu ji" (36 stratagems) are universal and obligatory element literacy in China. [Melikhov G.V. Manchuria far and near. M.: INFRA, 2001.-329s.]
The mythologized commander Zhuge Liang, described in the Chinese analogue of "War and Peace", the book "Three Kingdoms", performs, according to the Chinese, deeds worthy of imitation. The peculiarity of the moral principles of the inhabitants of the Celestial Empire can be emphasized by the episode describing the flight of the Zhuge detachment from the enemies pursuing it. At night, the hunted, tired and hungry warriors take refuge in the house of the owner of a roadside inn. The next day, the poor man and his family, who shared their last meal with Zhuge Liang, will be killed by his soldiers. Zhuge makes this decision out of fear that the persecutors, by interrogating his benefactor, will be able to find out the direction of the movement of the Zhuge detachment. [Vasiliev L. S. History of the East. M.: Bustard, 2003.-326s.]
An ally is a temporarily advantageous partner, in the concept of Chinese strategists. Having received all the benefits from friendship with the USSR, the Chinese leadership hastened to announce its claims to our country. The current state of Russian-Chinese relations is based on a certain balance of mutual interests. Although fear is caused by manifestations of the arrogant attitude of the Chinese various levels to our country and Russian people. More than 10 years of close contact between representatives of various social groups between two countries (and, above all, by far not the most cultured strata) creates an unimportant stereotype of ideas of our peoples about each other. [Skachkov P. E. Essays on the history of Russian Sinology. M.: Enlightenment, 2000.-327s.]
The largest country in the world in terms of population, and even neighboring us on a long stretch of the border, cannot but attract our attention. It is important to resolve the problems that have accumulated over centuries of relationships. Knowledge of the main active component of the country - its population - allows you to correctly assess the situation, draw practical conclusions and determine the prospects for cooperation.
How is the average family in China doing today? Answer: everything, every year, is more European. The inhabitants of the Celestial Empire no longer face the rigid question of survival and work for just one cup of rice, they are in demand for newly formed living conditions, new services and goods.
In China, men are allowed to marry at the age of 21, and women at the age of 18. But if young people given age are educated at a university, they are not recommended to formalize their marriage, but, thus, among Chinese youth today, studies are the initial priority, and then a career. Chinese ladies are becoming more and more financially independent and self-reliant and want to see next to them the guys corresponding to them.
In various provinces in China, there is a difference between the average wage, 2500 yuan is now average around the country. In addition to the mandatory salary, employees of enterprises receive bonuses every month for their personal contribution to modern labor process, and completely based on the results of the work of the entire company. A small salary (and this is an amount up to 1600 yuan) is not taxed at all. Pensions are now approximately comparable (but still slightly lower) with salaries able-bodied citizens.
Mortgage lending is very popular among local residents. If a Chinese person works constantly, then obtaining a mortgage loan is quite simple, and the annual percentage of the loan term for 10 years is slightly more than 5%. In China, this process has been brought to “automaticity”.
By driving the birth rate into certain limits, the government at the same time provides significant support to families, expenses directly related to childbirth are reimbursed to them in the amount of 70%, a woman is entitled to maternity leave for three months, and the father is allowed two weeks' leave if both spouses are over 24 years old.
The Chinese spend the most on education, mobile communications, transport, and travel. As a rule, vacations for working Chinese fall during the winter months. At this time, you can go abroad, or you can, taking the necessary equipment, just travel around your own homeland.
It is very popular among the Chinese to follow a healthy lifestyle, locals of all ages attend health sections, love hiking, actively travel by bike and do not neglect massage. Such preferences are strongly welcomed by the provincial administrations, since healthy lifestyle life directly affects the health and working capacity of the entire nation.
Relatively moderate prices in local restaurants and cafes make it possible for the average Chinese family to visit there quite often, and the usual home cooking food is no longer just the responsibility of women's hands. Dishes that require special culinary arts have traditionally been prepared by men in China over the years.
Chinese medicine, as part of the science of ancient China, was based on understanding the unity of the universe and man, on the awareness invisible connection nature and organism. Such knowledge was considered the highest wisdom, a revelation transmitted by Heaven. In this regard, Chinese medicine paid great attention to the prevention of diseases and the conduct of a correct, healthy lifestyle, in accordance with the principles established for man by the Universe.
The level of Chinese medicine in ancient times was truly high. In the arsenal of physicians of ancient China, there were about a hundred methods of non-drug exposure alone. According to the surviving palace chronicles and official documents of diplomatic correspondence, some emperors of the Celestial Empire lived to be 200 years old, and children were conceived at the age of 140 years. Of course, in imperial palace there were a huge number of medical scientists who tirelessly monitored the health of the emperor, but still this may indicate high level Chinese medicine.
Unlike modern Western medicine, which does not pay due attention to the problems of prevention, Chinese medicine considered the issues of maintaining health and a healthy lifestyle as an important component of medical knowledge. famous saying says: "It's too late to dig a well when you're thirsty." In other words, in order to have health, it is necessary to lead a correct lifestyle and constantly strictly demand from yourself.
The human body in Chinese medicine was seen as a complex layered system, not limited only to the material component, therefore, the approach to treatment was also deeper, more fundamental. The physical body was considered only as a surface level, followed by the level of the system of meridians and energy channels, then - emotional level. The determining factor was the human psyche, its spiritual component. In such a system, each higher level of the hierarchy influenced the lower one. Thus, in order to remove symptoms and achieve visible well-being, it is possible to influence physical body. However, in order to gain health, a person must change himself. He must achieve harmony with nature and find peace of mind.
The doctrine of the "golden mean" way to a healthy lifestyle
According to the ideas of ancient Chinese physicians, the disease originates in the mind. Therefore, the concept of a healthy lifestyle includes, first of all, correct thinking, awareness of the connection between the causes of phenomena and their consequences, the observance of moderation and the preservation of naturalness.
Chinese medicine about a healthy lifestyle. During the Zhou Dynasty, many Taoists went into seclusion high mountains to dedicate his life to finding ways to truth and achieve enlightenment of the mind.Photo: China Photos/Getty Images News In ancient China, people were distinguished by a calm temperament, restraint in habits and emotional addictions. Thanks to this, inner peace of mind was achieved. This way of life of the Chinese was formed under the influence of the teachings of Confucianism and Taoism. These two teachings determined the development of all the sciences of ancient China and, in particular, Chinese medicine. Among other things, Confucianism and Taoism instilled ancient society concepts of the "golden mean" and the middle way, following which you can remain invincible. According to these ideas, a person should avoid extremes in all aspects and then he will be able to gain health.
On this occasion, the Taoist Ge Hong in the book "Nei Pian" outlined his understanding of the relationship between health and the observance of moderation. According to the scientist, the main causes that destroy human health are excessive emotions. For example, such as sadness, envy, greed, excessive joy, idleness, decrepitude, drunkenness. Reaching their limit, they will certainly lead to physical exhaustion and death. Therefore, one who strives for good health and long life should not listen and look, drink and eat, sit and exercise, talk and dress beyond measure.
Body improvement as part of a healthy lifestyle
The concept of the "golden mean" also applies to physical activity. Therefore, Chinese medicine recommends that a person perform a certain amount of physical work. In this case, Qi and blood can circulate freely, and the internal organs can work well. Prolonged physical inactivity leads to stagnation of Qi and blood, to the depletion of the functionality of the spleen and stomach, which leads to impotence, weakness of the limbs and apathy. Chinese medicine books say that "lying for a long time hurts Qi." Excessive physical overwork can lead to Qi damage and various pathologies, but reasonable physical activity, of course, useful: training increases the circulation of vital substances and contributes to better absorption of food.
In nutrition, Chinese medicine also instructs to observe moderation. The five tastes of food should not be enhanced. Such a desire will lead to disruption of the internal organs. Too salty is bad for the heart, too spicy is bad for the liver, too sour is bad for the spleen, too bitter is bad for the lungs, and too much sweet is bad for the kidneys. Excessive food and gluttony will lead to obesity and disruption of Qi and blood circulation.
Speaking about a healthy lifestyle, one cannot fail to mention the numerous non-drug methods that are still used by the Chinese today. Helps keep the body healthy breathing exercises, martial practices, meditation, qigong and other methods that are the heritage of the science of ancient China. They, like herbal medicines, are also used to maintain health and prevent diseases.
Most of the methods of practice are related to the methods of perfecting the Tao system. During the Zhou Dynasty (circa 1100 - 221 BC), many Taoists retired to high mountains to devote their lives to finding ways to truth and achieve enlightenment of the mind. They gained peace of mind and lived for countless years practicing martial arts and meditating. Inhaling the high mountain air, saturated with qi and using herbs, they gained longevity. Although much of the knowledge was passed down in secret, some cultivation methods are open and are now spreading in society.
Thus, Chinese medicine gives a person an awareness of the principle that diseases are easier to prevent than to cure. True health can only be obtained by following the principles of the universe and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
