My experience in China is an eye-opener and has created a profound realization of what China has done and how they have achieved what they have achieved. It is a learning process to be assimilated and see at first-hand how the Chinese are increasing their national glory by the day and by the year. Admittedly, it is both very inspiring and promising. As has always been the international community's talk of the town and making it to the international headlines, it must really be something that is very astonishing or worthy of great attention, and indeed — it is. A well known phrase which has always resounded to a layman's consciousness is — 'The Rise of China.'

China is now the world's fastest growing economy and the world's second largest, not to mention the world's oldest of a thousand year civilization and home to the world's most populous nation of 1.3 billion people. They are also now one of the world's top three, as the preferred destination for tourists. According to the IMF forecast, they are even predicted to overtake the American economy by 2020. Some reasons for these are attributable to its history and culture insofar as charting its future is concerned. I believe that a nation that values its history so much will achieve national greatness, as now in the case of China. They call their country "Zhongguo" in Chinese, which means "Middle Kingdom." They look at this not just on its nominal value, but rather in its profound historical significance.

It gives an idea that a nation that has its own sense of national myth and history, knows its identity well, and will know how or what it wants to be in the present and in the future. This then leads to a well developed or concocted national role conception and foreign policy. For if a country has a vision, the mission or the means to achieve it will eventually follow. This is what China has done, it has always set target dates for what it has to achieve in a certain timeframe; and they do it with sheer political will compounded with agility in order to implement reforms and grandiose projects that ought to benefit their populace.

All these, are factors that enable China to project its influence both in terms of ‘hard’ and ‘soft’ power throughout the world. These are all in consonance with its dynamic culture and the people’s strong work ethic, high utilization of human capital, and proper management of national resources. Some amongst the so many facets of its cultural strong points are: it’s amazing Chinese characters, to their magical ‘traditional Chinese medicine,’ to their well renowned martial arts ‘kung-fu,’ to one of the world’s most craved cuisine or dined fancy restaurants, and to their prowess in the field of finance and business.

The Chinese have earned the respect of the world and has also been a source of model for other countries to follow such as Vietnam who is also experiencing rapid economic growth, and has now been seen as very stark in contrast to the Western model whose economies are now experiencing harrowing debt crises. Some even call such model the so-called 'Beijing Consensus' which could possibly equal that of the 'Washington Consensus.' China is making and finishing more and more advanced infrastructure projects such as the world's fastest and longest railroads crisscrossing its vast continent, longest bridges, sky scraper buildings, biggest malls—all at a very rapid rate. Other manifestations of China's crowning achievements are being hosts to big events of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Shanghai Expo 2010, Asian Games 2011 in Guangzhou, and the 2011 'Universaide' Games in Shenzhen to mention a few. China did not just show that it excelled in Communism before and even managing to be one of the worlds' last standing Communist state, but has also shown the world now that it can be one of the best players in Capitalism.

The Chinese has ingrained in them the tradition of the past and continues to relish it until the present date. This showed that China has learned to be versatile of joggling nationalism with the effects of globalization which has enabled it to sustain the achievement of national glory along with its widespread amicable diplomatic ties as implemented in their 'charm offensive' policy. Thus, if a country has national confidence, nationalism subsequently develops and grows. They take great pride in their cultural history and heritage which makes them retain their sense of identity in spite of the huge influx of foreign capital and investment.

Some of their distinctiveness is shown in their annual celebrations of the Chinese New Year, Mid-Autumn Festival, Dragon Boat Festival amongst others. These holidays are also celebrated and are well-known in so many countries especially in East Asia. And still pretty much pervasive in this country is the Confucian value-system wherein familial ties, respect for the elders and authority, cordiality, and humility still resonates in the Chinese societal milieu. Truly, the Chinese are friendly and warm-hearted people based from this writer's interactions with them.

This has an 'ascending effect' because from the family it goes up into the society, and from the society it climbs up into the national government, which in practice forms a 'socio-national bottom-up' system. The Chinese were also able to carry on a thousand year tradition of living a healthy lifestyle by customarily eating vegetables as part of regular dishes, from healthy cooking ways of steaming instead of frying, to practicing tai chi exercises, and the pragmatic culture of riding bicycles in spite of the fact that China now is the world's largest buyer of luxury cars.

On the other hand, an effect of a 'top-down' system in China is the state's initiative to provide public good for the people such as an efficient and affordable mode of public transportation, countless informative and comprehensive programs of different varieties by different media outfits, and even coming out with their own versions of the 'youtube,' 'facebook,' and 'twitter' guaranteeing the free expression of the peoples. The state has also taken the initiative to the preservation, protection and affirmative action of the so many and diverse ethnic minorities in China such as admissions in colleges and universities. An ultimate manifestation of this was the remarkable feat of the government of being able to lift 400 billion people out of abject poverty.

The ingenuous invention of the chopsticks and its practical usage serving as a universal indelible Chinese trademark, in tandem with the Chinese Confucian value-system has already spilled-over and cascaded throughout East Asia. This has also been at times associated with the Asian value system. These values are what make East Asians bind them with the Chinese and also with other Asian countries. With this, they find a common sense of culture, affinity, and identity uniquely different from the West which has been the backbone of the Asian belief and value-system.

In South East Asia, 'China towns' have sprouted like mushrooms serving as the haven for those who want to experience a China-like atmosphere and are also home for some Chinese expatriates or residents. In the Philippines in particular, China is perceived as a strong and robust country, and the Chinese people are associated with the positive values of diligence and hard work. The Philippines is well aware of what China has achieved from its historical legacy to its recent history to its contemporary achievements. Since China has been able to perpetuate its legacy until the present, it only goes to show that their success has been running through their blood, whether this is in business or other fields.

Filipino-Chinese or Filipinos who have Chinese blood now comprise a sizeable portion of the Philippine population further expanding Chinese influence in the country. This has started hundreds of years ago ever since when the first Chinese group of migrants from Guangdong and Fujian provinces in China came into the country for business and cultural exchanges. Up to this point in time, they have managed to retain their Chinese surnames as part of their cultural and historical Chinese heritage. More than this, it only goes to show that the Chinese culture has successfully harmonized and has been able to assimilate with the Filipino culture thus producing a synthesized spirit of mutual understanding between two the neighbor nations and its peoples.

Ethnic Chinese in the Philippines are mostly those people who occupy high positions in the social ladder. This is evident in the many successful opulent business men that have Chinese ethnicity or Chinese descent operating in the country. Their businesses have grown and had been popular. Some even believe that if one is Chinese then one must be wealthy. Aside from having business acumen, they also exhibit the Chinese value of frugality and have a strong sense of adherence to cultural traditions which make them distinct yet admired by others. Some even say that if it's a Chinese tradition then it must be effective, good and worthy of emulation. This is how Chinese customs are respected in the country.

The Chinese are also known as technocrats given their expertise in finance and business making their huge contribution a big boost, and an integral part of the Philippine economy. Chinese schools and Confucian institutes in the country are also perceived as well renowned and prestigious places for quality education resulting in its production of astute professionals and politicians alike. Some universities have even included 'Mandarin' as one of the choices for international languages to be taught in the language classes on the tertiary level. And in recognition for the hundreds of years of Chinese contribution and harmonization into the country, the government has even proclaimed the Chinese New Year as a national holiday to accord due recognition to the Chinese contribution in the country and to mark a long-running friendship between the two cultures.

Adding to these impressions is that the Chinese popular culture has also penetrated the Philippine market and has received warm welcome and accommodation from the Filipinos such as kung-fu movies starred by famous action stars in the likes of Bruce Lee, Jet Li, Jackie Chan, and Donnie Yen among others serving as inspirations and idols for many fans. Also some TV series from Hong Kong and Taiwan have been highly appreciated and suited the taste of Filipino watchers giving also a high fascination for Chinese beauty and women.

Filipino's also has a penchant for Chinese cuisine and palate where even some Chinese dishes had already been incorporated into the Filipino way of life. Moreover, Filipinos also patronize the lunar calendar of believing in Chinese animals, trusting the ‘feng shui,’ and the belief in the color ‘Red’ as a symbol of luck. In another aspect, Filipinos highly value the Confucian teachings of respect for the elders, familial solidarity, and salience of friendships. As a result, all these boil down to the fact that the Chinese have indeed influenced the life of Filipinos in terms of value-systems, cultural traits, and professionalism in different aspects.

China has been able to translate its astuteness from one field to another. What should be realized is that China's rise in relation to its expanding cultural, political, and economic influence across the world should be perceived as benign and positive. Clearly, China's rise and influence through its culture are being felt all over the world, and this should be welcomed in which other societies or governments could learn from.

The author is an overseas student from Philippines mastering in International Relations with a Holistic Law Background and Service Experience at Shandong University in China.

The opinions expressed do not represent the views of the China Daily website.

http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/mychinastory/2012-01/13/content_14440697.htm

Written by: Aaron Jed B. Rabena

Source:www.chinadaily.com.cn