The Chinese Viewed Western Culture as Strange: A Brief Exploration
Western culture has been influencing the world for centuries, with many countries adopting Western values and practices. Western culture has been viewed as powerful and desirable, but it has also faced significant pushback and resistance from other cultures. The Chinese, in particular, have had a complex relationship with Western culture. This article will explore how the Chinese viewed Western culture as strange.
The Historical Context
To understand the Chinese perspective on Western culture, we need to look at the historical context. In the late 19th century, Western powers began to exert significant influence over China, which was weakened by economic stagnation, political corruption, and military weakness. Western countries imposed one-sided treaties on China, forcing it to open up its ports to foreign trade and cede territories. This period became known as the “Century of Humiliation” in China.
The Chinese saw Western influence as a threat to their traditional way of life and viewed Westerners as barbarians. They saw the introduction of Western ideas and practices, such as Christianity, individualism, and capitalism, as a danger to their cultural heritage. Some Chinese also saw Western technology, such as railroads and telegraphs, as tools of Western imperialism used to exploit China’s resources.
The Strange and the Exotic
Chinese perceptions of Western culture were shaped by their cultural traditions, which emphasized harmony, conformity, and propriety. The Chinese saw the behavior of Westerners as strange and outside of their cultural norms. They found Western dress, food, and manners to be uncivilized and vulgar. For example, the Chinese viewed the custom of eating with a fork and knife as unsanitary and disrespectful to food. They also saw the practice of drinking cold water as unnatural and harmful to one’s health.
Western art and literature were also viewed as strange and exotic. Chinese scholars found Western literature to be too individualistic and lacking in moral values. Western art was seen as too realistic and lacking in spiritual depth. Instead, Chinese art and literature emphasized beauty, harmony, and balance.
The Chinese Rejection of Western Culture
The Chinese were resistant to Westernization and were determined to maintain their cultural heritage. Some Chinese intellectuals, such as Zeng Guofan and Li Hongzhang, advocated for a synthesis of Chinese and Western culture, combining the best elements of both. Others, such as Lin Zexu and Kang Youwei, called for China to reject Western culture altogether and return to its traditional roots.
The Boxer Rebellion in 1900, which was a violent uprising against foreign influence in China, represented a turning point in the Chinese rejection of Western culture. The rebellion was motivated by a desire to expel foreigners and preserve Chinese culture. The rebellion failed, but it demonstrated the depth of Chinese resistance to Westernization.
Conclusion
The Chinese viewed Western culture as strange and outside of their cultural norms. They saw Western influence as a threat to their traditional way of life and viewed Westerners as barbarians. Chinese perceptions of Western culture were shaped by their cultural traditions, which emphasized harmony, conformity, and propriety. The Chinese were resistant to Westernization and were determined to maintain their cultural heritage. While some Chinese intellectuals advocated for a synthesis of Chinese and Western culture, others called for China to reject Western culture altogether. The Boxer Rebellion in 1900 demonstrated the depth of Chinese resistance to Westernization. Ultimately, Chinese perceptions of Western culture reflect the tension between the universal appeal of modernity and the value of cultural diversity.
