The evolution of guanxi in the course of modernization of China

Guanxi, understood as a specific type of human relations, are one of constitutive features of Chinese culture. In guanxi-type relations, its participants share mutual material and moral obligations, which helps them define their social identities. The author made an anthropological research about the role of guanxi relations in contemporary China in the context of modernization. The article offers the analysis of their function, complexity and changes. One of the main findings is the weakening of some types among them and the strengthening of others. In these processes, new technologies play important role, which is also the subject of the author’s investigation. As a result of getting acquainted with these analyses, the reader can understand better the relations between continuity and change in contemporary Chinese culture