The Chinese Government has made it a goal to build a harmonious society, a great task requiring the concerted effort of everyone. Obviously, the basis of such a society lies with individuals, and the maintenance of harmony in interpersonal and inter-group relationships is essential for social harmony.

No society on this planet can be free of problems and conflicts. Chinese society today is a plural one in a fairly constant state of change. Certain social factors, such as disparities in socioeconomic status, can lead to estrangement and alienation between individuals. Moreover, the transition from a planned economy to a market economy has triggered major readjustments in the distribution of income between different groups, creating a society with many competing interest groups. Given the fact that the different interest groups vary in their concerns, motivations, demands and opinions, it is inevitable that from time to time tensions and conflicts will break out among them.

Under such circumstances, new challenges arise as how to overcome the estrangement and alienation between individuals and maintain harmonious interpersonal relationships as well as how to balance relations among different interest groups.

While a number of tangible measures, including the strengthening of the legal system, could be employed in the face of these new issues, the role of traditional Chinese culture in maintaining harmony in interpersonal and inter-group relationships should not be ignored. As a matter of fact, an important element of traditional Chinese culture is its emphasis on harmony in interpersonal relations, as well illustrated by the traditional Chinese festivals such as the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival and Double Ninth Festival (a festival when respect is paid to senior citizens).

Chinese traditional thought advocates ¡°consideration for others? and suggests that ¡°great virtues have a huge capacity to contain things?and ¡°to tolerate is a sign of greatness? These ideas contribute to the spirit of tolerance that a modern society needs. Chinese culture traditionally stresses kindness and selflessness. It is considered the duty of every individual to fulfill their role in order to benefit others. From this perspective, traditional culture and values provide a moral basis for reconciling competing social interests, minimizing social conflict and maintaining social cohesion.

Social harmony depends on the maintenance of correct relationships among individuals and among different interest groups. In this sense, traditional Chinese culture and values can influence human behaviour in a manner that is conducive to social harmony.