A strong emphasis on diligence, hard work, perseverance, and dedication is widely observed and often linked to Confucian teachings that value effort and contribution. Work is often viewed not merely as a means to an end but as a contribution to the well-being of one's family and the broader community or nation. This ethic manifests in the concept of "chi ku" (eating bitterness), which emphasizes enduring hardship to achieve long-term goals. Notably, this work ethic has been credited as a driving force behind China's rapid economic development and the success of Chinese businesses globally, with entrepreneurs and workers alike often putting in longer hours and demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of challenges.

Confucianism places a profound emphasis on education and learning (学) as a means for moral self-cultivation, acquiring knowledge, and contributing to society. This cultural premium on education has historically driven efforts to achieve academic success and has contributed to the formation of a skilled workforce. The imperial examination system (科举), which operated for over 1,300 years until 1905, institutionalized this value by creating a meritocratic path to government service based on scholarly achievement. In contemporary China, this reverence for education continues to fuel intense academic competition, substantial family investments in children's education, and the pursuit of advanced degrees both domestically and internationally. The government's strategic emphasis on education as a pillar of national development further reinforces this cultural value.

The virtue of thrift (节俭) is traditionally esteemed in Chinese culture and is often cited as a factor contributing to the high household savings rates. This value stems from Confucian teachings on moderation and restraint, as well as historical experiences with economic uncertainty. Chinese households typically save 30-40% of their disposable income, significantly higher than most developed economies. This propensity for saving has provided capital for domestic investment while creating challenges for efforts to stimulate consumer spending. The emphasis on frugality extends beyond personal finance to business practices, where many successful Chinese companies have maintained lean operations even after achieving significant growth. Paradoxically, this value coexists with growing consumerism, particularly among younger urban populations.

Confucian ethics emphasize social harmony, respect for elders and superiors, and the importance of fulfilling one's role within a hierarchical social structure. The family is often seen as the prototype for social organization, and collective well-being is typically prioritized over individual desires. This manifests in the concept of "filial piety" (孝, xiao), which prescribes absolute respect and care for one's parents and ancestors. In business contexts, this value influences organizational structures, which tend to be more hierarchical with centralized decision-making processes. Communication patterns often reflect status considerations, with subordinates showing deference to leaders. This cultural feature has implications for management practices, with Western-style flat organizational structures sometimes encountering implementation challenges in Chinese contexts. However, younger generations increasingly balance traditional hierarchical values with more individualistic perspectives shaped by globalization.

Concerns are frequently raised about the potential inefficiencies of SOEs compared to private firms, with studies showing significantly lower returns on assets and equity in the state sector. The distortion of market competition due to preferential treatment for state-linked entities manifests in privileged access to financing, regulatory advantages, and preferential procurement policies that create an uneven playing field. A lack of transparency in corporate governance and government decision-making further compounds these issues, making it difficult for outside observers to fully assess risks or performance. The risk of resource misallocation when political objectives override commercial logic is particularly pronounced in strategic sectors where massive overcapacity has developed as local governments pursue growth targets. Critics point to the real estate and heavy industrial sectors as examples where politically-driven investment has led to economic imbalances and potential systemic risks.

The long-term sustainability of an investment-led, resource-intensive growth model is a major point of contention among economists and policy analysts. China's historical reliance on high investment rates (often exceeding 40% of GDP) has led to diminishing returns on capital and growing debt levels across public and private sectors. The "middle-income trap"—where a country's growth stagnates after reaching middle-income levels due to an inability to transition to innovation-driven productivity gains—is often cited as a potential risk for China if structural reforms falter. Supporting this concern is China's demographic challenge of a rapidly aging population and shrinking workforce, which places additional pressure on the need for productivity improvements. Environmental degradation presents another sustainability challenge, with severe air, water, and soil pollution imposing significant economic costs through healthcare expenses, lost productivity, and remediation requirements. These factors collectively necessitate a successful transition to a more consumption-driven, innovation-based, and environmentally sustainable growth model.

China's manufacturing dominance has had complex effects throughout the global economy, benefiting global consumers with lower prices for a wide range of goods but also undercutting manufacturing sectors in other countries, particularly in labor-intensive industries. This has contributed to deindustrialization in some regions and fueled political backlash in various countries. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), while providing much-needed infrastructure in some developing countries and potentially creating new growth corridors, has raised concerns about debt sustainability, environmental and social standards, and geopolitical leverage. Critics point to cases where countries have had to renegotiate terms due to unsustainable debt burdens, while supporters highlight examples of successful projects that have enhanced connectivity and economic opportunity. China's growing technological influence, particularly in areas like 5G networks, artificial intelligence, and digital infrastructure, has also sparked debates about standards-setting, digital governance models, and potential security implications. These controversies reflect broader questions about how China's economic model and growing influence will shape international economic rules and norms in the coming decades.

There is ongoing scholarly debate about the nature and implications of China's political system. Some argue that the CCP-led system has demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptive capacity, enabling it to manage complex transformations and maintain stability despite significant social and economic change. Proponents of this view highlight the system's pragmatic approach to policymaking, ability to plan long-term, and capacity to mobilize resources for strategic priorities like infrastructure development or poverty reduction. Others contend that the lack of political pluralism, institutionalized checks and balances, and genuine accountability makes the system inherently brittle and vulnerable to shocks or policy errors in the long run. This perspective emphasizes concerns about corruption, information distortion within the bureaucracy, and potential over-concentration of decision-making authority. The debate extends to questions about policy implementation, with some scholars noting the gap between central directives and local execution, while others point to strengthened enforcement mechanisms under recent reforms. International comparisons also feature prominently, with differing assessments of how China's governance model compares to liberal democratic systems in addressing challenges like inequality, environmental protection, and technological innovation. These discussions reflect broader questions about the relationship between political institutions and economic development in different contexts.