Editorial Policy
Where the guides on China Rules 101 come from, how they are checked, and how they are kept current.
Who writes the guides
China Rules 101 is written and edited by Tim Fang, a native Chinese speaker. Guides are published under the China Rules 101 name.
Sources
The starting point is Chinese-language material written by Chinese people for Chinese readers: etiquette guides and books, explanations from Chinese media and websites, discussions on Chinese social platforms, and advice handed down in families. Where possible, several Chinese sources are compared rather than relying on one, then the result is translated and adapted into English for readers who did not grow up with these customs.
Details that change over time — holiday dates, typical red-envelope amounts, payment habits such as WeChat red packets — are checked against current public information. If a point is uncertain, disputed or varies by region, the guide says so rather than presenting it as fact.
What every guide aims to include
- A direct answer first. If you only read one paragraph, you should still know what to do.
- The reason behind the rule — often a homophone, a family role or a question of face — so you can apply it to situations the guide does not cover.
- Traditional belief vs. modern practice. Guides say plainly when a rule is mostly followed by older generations or has faded in big cities.
- Regional and generational differences where they exist.
- A safer alternative whenever a guide tells you not to do something.
How risk is rated
Many rules on this site carry a risk level, so you can tell a real taboo from a nice-to-know detail:
- 🔴 High risk — likely to cause real offence or embarrassment, even if your host is too polite to show it. Avoid.
- 🟡 Medium risk — noticed by many people, especially older or more traditional ones. Worth getting right.
- 🟢 Low risk — good manners or an old custom; most people will not mind if you miss it, particularly as a foreigner.
Where it matters, business and social situations are rated separately, because the same mistake can be harmless at a friend's dinner and costly at a negotiation.
How AI is used
AI helps with translation, organising material and first drafts, and it powers the interactive tools. Guides are checked against the original Chinese material, because a literal translation often loses the point of a rule. The AI tools give situation-specific suggestions; they are a starting point, not a substitute for judgement, and they are labelled as AI-powered.
Updates and corrections
Customs, prices and holiday arrangements change. Each guide shows the date it was last updated or reviewed. When something turns out to be wrong or outdated — or a reader points it out — it gets fixed and the date is updated. To report an error, email [email protected] with the page link and what you think should change.
Independence
China Rules 101 has no advertising and publishes no sponsored content. It does not accept payment to recommend products, shops or services. The site is funded by readers who choose the optional VIP guides and tools.