所以，在世界上把中国称为“中央之国”的国家屈指可数，而且都是周边深受汉文化圈影响的国家。他们之所以把中国称为“中国”是因为中国人自己把自己叫“中国”，直接借用了汉字的发音和写法。但是，中国历史上各个朝代并不把“中国”作为国名使用，而是使用自己独特的名称，如唐、宋、元、明、清等，直到1912年中华民国成立，才将“中国”作为“中华民国”的简称正式使用，使其首次成为具有近代国家概念的正式名称（其英文标准译名为Republic of China），并被汉文化圈内地邻国所逐步接受。这样说来，“中央之国”作为国名还是个新名词，即便在汉文化圈国家，把中国称为“中国”也是近代以后的事。
以日本为例，日本本土上有一个叫“中国地方”，位于日本本州的西部，北面日本海，南临濑户内海。平安时代（公元794-1192）时，日本以当时的首都京都为中心，根据距离远近将国土命名为“近国”、“中国”、“远国”3个地区。所以这个“中国”其实就是当时的“中部地区”的意思，这一名称一直沿用至今。可以说，当日本有了“中国”这个地名的时候，中国的正式国名还不叫“中国”。从古时起一直到18世纪之前，日本人都把中国称为Morokoshi（モコロシ），Kara（カラ）或者Tau（タウ），都是日本人对汉字“唐”字的读音。在18世纪之前，日本地图一般将中国国土标为“汉土”。1713年，日本集武士、政治家、学者几种身份于一身的新井白石，与被日本拘禁的罗马传教士Giovanni Battista Sidotti对谈，编纂了《采览异言》一书。在写到中国这一段时，新井把从Sidotti那里听来的Cina（Sidotti是意大利人，所以我推测他说到“中国”应该说的是意大利语Cina，而不是英语China）用假名拼写为チイナ，并辅以“支那”二字为汉字译音，没有贬义。直到甲午战争中国人落败，作为胜利者日本人不再使用“唐”称呼中国，代之以“支那”，口气上已经带有了明显的贬义，所以引起中国人的愤懑。1911年孙中山领导辛亥革命成功推翻了大清国，改国号为“中华民国”，自此中国正式的国号简称“中国”。但是一些日本人却认为“中国”二字带有世界中心的优越感，加之日本已经有“中国地方”，所以依然常常使用“支那”来称呼中国，引发中国方面的极大不满。晚清秀才、教育家王拱璧在1919年出版的《东游挥汗录》就谴责日本不称我国为“中华民国”，而称之为“支那共和国”，是“不以国家视我”，“是我中华民国成立八年而倭人尚不承认也”。1930年，当时的中华民国中央政治会议通过一项决议，认为“‘支那’一词意义极不明显，与现在之中国毫无关系”，要求外交部从速通知日本政府，“今后称呼中国，英文需写National Republic of China，中文须写大中华民国。倘若日本公文使用支那之类的文字，中国外交部可断然拒绝接受”。
Roadtrip to China: 8 rules for work and play
Understanding a few key cultural differences can smooth the way for a trip to China that is free of friction and faux pas.
By Anne Fisher, senior writer
Last Updated: July 17, 2008: 9:57 AM EDT
NEW YORK (Fortune) -- We've all been there: visiting a new country we inadvertently do or say something deemed offensive to locals. At best, we're embarrassed. At worst, we risk blowing a business deal or offending our hosts.
In China, cultural differences are taking center stage as more Americans head east for business and pleasure. So whether you're going for business or to catch next month's Olympics in Beijing - or both - here's an 8-point crash course in how your Chinese hosts work and play.
What do you mean, 'I want?' In the West, the individual is No. 1. In China, community trumps all. "In the West, what 'I' want matters greatly," explains Huping Iler, CEO of wintranslation.com, an Ontario-based provider of translation services in dozens of languages (including Mandarin) to clients like the United Nations, Intel (INTC, Fortune 500), and Caterpillar (CAT, Fortune 500). "In Chinese culture, what I want is not as important as what 'we' want."
I know what's best for you. Here's a prime example of group-think at work: A Chinese automotive supplier whom Iler knows changed a North American customer's product without asking permission. The customer was furious, but the supplier didn't get why. "'Not without my permission' is an important concept in Western cultures, because it shows respect for individual authority and individual choice," Iler notes. "But in China, it's much more common for supervisors and others to make decisions that affect others without consulting anyone else, because they believe they are acting in the best interests of the group." If you want to be consulted on key decisions, don't assume you will be. Speak up.
How much money do you make? Western cultures place a far higher premium on privacy than the Chinese do. In China, it's common for a student to ask teachers what grades other students received, or to ask a colleague how much he makes or if he's single and dating. "Don't be surprised if you are asked bluntly personal questions," says Iler. Reply honestly, if you want - or just smile and change the subject.
I'll get to the point, eventually. A Chinese employee asking for the day off will call you and say something like: "My son is sick and he can't go to day care today. I tried to find a babysitter, but everybody is booked. I even checked with my in-laws but they aren't feeling well themselves. So I'm afraid I have no choice but to stay home today. Is it all right if I take the day off?" The Chinese make their points at the end of a conversation, rather than the Western style of stating the important information first. Be patient.
Thanks, but no thanks..really. Expressing gratitude, even for small favors, is a must in the West. In China, says Iler, "if a relationship is close, such as between friends or colleagues, saying 'thank you' for everything is viewed as a way to distance oneself from the group." Don't be offended if you don't hear a 'thank you.' It might be a compliment.
Why do I need proof? The Chinese can be vague about their statements, which is why academic papers often lack footnotes and Chinese suppliers accused of selling lead-tainted toys simply argued that China shouldn't be held responsible - without offering proof. "For a Western person working with Chinese colleagues, the Chinese tendency to be vague can be frustrating." says Iler. You can ask for proof - say, market research - to substantiate a claim. But don't surprised if your request is met with a blank look.
I don't do hugs! Public displays of affection are common in the West, but they're taboo in China - at least among adults, even close friends. "Don't be surprised to hear that a Chinese father has never hugged or kissed his grown children," says Iler. Save the bear hugs and air kisses for Stateside.
Please, no more excuses. PDA may be off-limits, but the Chinese have no problem cutting in front of you or bumping into strangers without saying "excuse me." What may seem like the height of rudeness to us is, by Chinese standards, perfectly acceptable. "In such a highly crowded society, people use any available shortcut," explains Iler. So try to stay chill.
Of course, people from other cultures who do business with the West must learn all these subtleties in reverse, and it's not easy for anybody. But, Iler notes, if you're going to China, the onus is on you to adapt to Chinese ways, not vice versa. As they say, "When in Rome..."
