Despite its drastic changes in almost every aspect in its long history, the society of China, through feudalism from over 2000 years ago to the Nationalist government of 1921 and to the present day socialism, is bounded together by Confucianism, which champions a system of moral and political values centring on humaneness (Ren), ritual behaviour (Li), loyalty (Zhong) and filial piety (Xiao).

Even in the current waves of westernizations, the values of Confucianism still permeates everything Chinese, from the ways an ordinary citizen conducts his daily life to complicated systems used to devising state laws and regulations. Due to the unique path taken by China in the past century, Confucian values sometimes masquerade as some form of Marx-Lenin-Maoism and "socialism with Chinese characteristics" in the present day Chinese society.

An understanding, or at least an acquaintance with Confucianism is crucial if one is to succeed in anything in China.