As China tests bullet trains designed for 500 km/h, one must ask: What fuels this extraordinary ascent? Three factors stand out.
*1. Human Capital and Work Ethic*
Beyond a population of 1.411 billion, Chinese professionals embrace six core cultural pillars that drive productivity:
Minzi () -- Face and Reputation
Relentless effort safeguards personal and collective honor; results matter more than salary.
Lng xng gngzu zufng () -- Wolf-Like Aggressiveness
The "996" culture (9 a.m.--9 p.m., six days a week) yields 72-hour workweeks---nearly double Indonesia's 40.
Chk () -- Endurance of Hardship
Perseverance signifies maturity and mental toughness; hardship is worn as a badge of pride.
Rnqng () -- Reciprocity
Acts of support are remembered and repaid, fostering cohesive, mutually supportive teams.
Gnqng () -- Emotional Bonding
Professional relationships are strengthened by genuine emotional ties within teams.
Zhngchng () -- Loyalty
Allegiance extends beyond the company to direct supervisors, who must lead by example.
These values enable Chinese enterprises to thrive globally, accelerating national progress.
*2. Centralized Governance*
China's single-party system allows swift, coordinated policy execution. Provincial and municipal leaders are centrally appointed and judged on economic performance; underperformance invites immediate replacement. The result: throughout my travels I have yet to encounter a pothole or failed streetlight---defects are repaired promptly, a stark contrast to many decentralized democracies.
*3. Robust Legal and Regulatory Enforcement*
The legal framework operates above individual power. Drink-driving, for example, carries prison terms regardless of social status, spawning a thriving "designated-driver" service industry. High-profile cases---such as former China Merchants Bank CEO Tian Huiyu's suspended death sentence for bribery---underscore the law's reach.
