Guanxi
... The new form of social networking is called guanxi. To historian, guanxi has a history of over 5,000 years and is defined as a system to establish personal relations, connections, and networks through gift giving or exchange. Guanxi is understood and utilized by virtually every Chinese person in late imperial China. ... So, the social network (guanxi) in late imperial China is the key in understanding my research of Chinese mobility within the political and economical hierarchy. The background of guanxi stemmed from the fundamental philosophy of Confucianism. ... Lou reiterated my ideas of guanxi relationship with Confucianism by stating, “[t]hese five relationships are the basis of Chinese social networks”. ... 7) The guanxi system is similar to Confucianism because it explains that an individual has predetermined relationships between family, kinship, and locality. First of all family and kinship relationships are frequently mentioned as the major significant role of guanxi system for Chinese people. ... In a culture that emphasizes the exchange of favors [guanxi] among intimate ties, these same people are obligated to assist others who are closely connected to them”. ... 259) As stated from above, an individual can demonstrate guanxi if they belong to a common social network, such as a family, village, educational institution, and political bureaucracy. In order for guanxi to be utilized within that social network, those of lesser status must routinely or ritually give resources to those of higher status. ... The enormous flexibility of guanxi allows gift exchange of any ordinary goods or services that are feasible for the common individual. ... 58) Again guanxi is a form of gift giving or exchange that involves a self-motivate interest of an individual in order to gain mobility in Chinese society. ... Gift giving is so dominant in guanxi activities that Yang named guanxi as the “gift economy”. ... Although Ong and Nonini related gift exchange in modern terms, “Family and guanxi practices are characterized by informality combines with…to coordinate family members, kinfolk, and…to create strategically important ties with bureaucrats,” it can be contrasted to the past of guanxi importance in gaining power in the imperial Chinese bureaucracy.