Chinese culture, or more specifically, Asian culture is over 5,000 years old.  In many respects, on the face, it is considerably different from other cultures, but a deeper investigation into culture, there are many similarities between Asian and Western cultures.  However, to truly survive and flourish in China, be it for only a short visit or for a long term, requires basic knowledge of the intricacies of Chinese culture and tradition. 

The Chinese are extremely nationalistic.  Any criticism of China by a foreigner will be sure to be met with great displeasure. It is totally permissible for them to criticize their own country but extremely distasteful at the very least for a foreigner to make negative observations of the Chinese people or the way that they do things. To their way of thinking, they have been surviving quite well for the last 5,000 years, and thus, are the oldest civilization in the world.  It works for them.  Nothing else needs to be said. 

Along these lines, given that China has been doing things their way for so many years, Chinese are resistant to doing things new ways - or the Western way.  Once again, things have been working for them so there is no need to change things.  As the old Western adage goes, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it."  This is the Chinese approach to many things.  Integrating new methods and ways of doing things takes an extreme amount of patience and understanding.  Quite often, the Chinese will politely listen and watch new techniques or ways of doing things and then go back to doing things the way that they are familiar with.  There are many different cultural things that come into play in this type of scenario, one of which is the concept of "saving face."

Everything in China revolves around "saving face" and "giving face."  Unfortunately, there is no simple definition of "saving face" or "giving face" as it is a multi faceted sociological aspect of human nature. As simplistic as possible, "saving face" means that you never look bad, and in the process, go to great pains to ensure that no one else looks bad, thus "giving face."  In other terms, it is dignity and prestige.

No one likes to make a mistake, or be proven wrong.  To do so, is to "lose face."  This in turn explains why lower level people in business and bureaucracies do not like to make decisions:  They do not want to be wrong.  Hence, they will always allow someone else to make a decision.  However, they also often will not go and seek out a decision from a higher ranking person either because doing so could cause them to lose face with their superior. 

Wikipedia provides a fairly comprehensive discussion of all the aspects of "face" and is well worth a read for anyone who is planning on spending any time in China.  Basically, the best advice is for people carefully consider their words and actions when in China. 

Because the Chinese are nationalistic, they are extremely defensive of Tibet, Taiwan and any other issues which could be defined as being "internal matters" for the Chinese people and their government.  Most contracts that are entered into with foreigners explicitly forbid the discussion of matters concerning Tibet or Taiwan.  

Chinese people are non-confrontational by nature.  Typically, if you are looking for an argument with a Chinese person, you will not get one.  Even when they are being "defensive" they are not confrontational.  Instead, they will simply seem to agree with you and make noncommittal statements.  Do not interpret this to mean that they agree with you.  The Chinese are exceptionally good at telling you what they think you want to hear.

Religion is freely practiced in Nantong.  Buddhism is the prevalent religion though there is a presence of Christian religions.  Visitors are free to practice the religion of their choice while in Nantong, however, attempting to convert anyone is strongly frowned on by the Government and the Chinese people as well. 

Tradition plays a large role in Chinese society.  The ways of the ancestors are revered and those ways have been carried into modern times.  Chinese society is very family oriented, and taking gifts when invited to someone's home or even to join them in a restaurant is never wrong.  A  gift of wine is always acceptable for an adult.  Giving a "red envelope" during traditional holidays is also acceptable, especially for children.  Inside the "red envelope" is money - a minimum of 100 RMB is acceptable for a foreigner to give.

Living in China can be the experience of a life time.  If you remember that nothing is ever done in a hurry; that tradition always prevails and always telling others what you think they would like to hear will almost guarantee you a successful and enjoyable visit to China and Nantong.