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Abstract

China’s rapid economic development in the past three decades has prompted many to search for answers behind this phenomenon. Besides such factors as national political stability, correct development guidelines, abundant labour and capital resources, the inflow of foreign capital, technology and management experiences, and peaceful international environment, academic enquiries have also begun to delve into Chinese cultural values for theoretical insights. It is here argued that the key Chinese cultural value is one that may be described as narrow in scope but broad in meaning as embedded in the Chinese character “Zhong” (中) or “centre”. This character embodies a range of meanings that reflects an attitude that is flexible and diverse in the handling of human relations. This attitude is central to a series of complicated “destined realtions” (缘分) that occur under varying degrees of intimacy. These destined relations have a strong influence on a person’s thinking and actions, are all-embracing and complex, and highly logical. The values on which the “circles” of destiny relations are formed have considerable influence on Chinese management ideas and socio-economic development.

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