As is seen, the Sino-Pakistan relationship is becoming closer and the communication between the two countries is increasing. In spite of tremendous efforts from both countries to keep this partnership afloat, stark differences in ideologies, backgrounds, and cultures are still prominent. This issue needs serious attention because a deep undercurrent has already started rocking Pakistan, tremors of which are felt occasionally. For further reading: Express Tribune article https://tribune.com.pk/story/1771321/1-pakistani-buy-chinese/ and Dawn article https://www.dawn.com/news/1337997
Cultural Differences because of Religious Differences
China has been influenced by Confucianism for a long time while Pakistan is a country with a firm belief in Islam, which gains the two countries distinctive cultural features. Confucianism doesn’t belong to the religion. However, it has developed and ruled people’s mind as an official thought for more than two thousand years in China, which gains Confucianism a religious-equal status. In this respect, Confucianism goes beyond religion. It imposes subtle impacts on Chinese people’s mind even without their awareness.
Pakistan is a Muslim country with about 97 percent of people believing in Islam. As a result, Islam is the national religion and exerts great influence on all aspects of life. People can feel a strong religious atmosphere in Pakistan. A large part of social activities, traditions, customs are centered on it and the religion further affects the values, culture, and ways of thinking and behavior of people in Pakistan. Therefore, Pakistan, a religious country, presents a totally different society compared with China.
Cultural differences mainly manifest in the religious area, customs area and the ideological area in which communication, food habits, festival and others, social view, gender view, marriage view, and time view play important roles.
Gender
Gender view is also an important dimension which reveals cultural differences. In China, gender equality is what the whole society pursues. Women play an important role as men in all walks of life and receive the same popularity in the workplace. But in Pakistan, gender discrimination is so common and normal that almost everyone takes it for granted. “Culturally, women are seen as inferior to men and are expected to be obedient to their husbands and other male members of the family.” From this, the gender discrimination goes without saying.
Marriage
Greatly influenced by the religion, Pakistan is a much more conservative country. A relationship between a boy and a girl not aiming at marriage is not allowed. Thus, dating is not common. Before the marriage prospects, the relationship is kept secret and young people are restrained to show love in the public. Most Pakistani girls are traditional and want to get married. A large portion of marriages is arranged by parents. The marriage view of Pakistani people is generally based on traditional culture and in accordance with religious demands.
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