Making Guanxi

This chapter explores how guanxi is made by the people who participate in it. First there is recognition of a common identity, a guanxi base; then, if the relation is to endure, commitment between the persons and especially to their connection is required. How this is achieved is examined in the chapter. Emotional involvement of the participants in their relationship is explored. Typically neglected aspects of the making of guanxi are then considered, including the nature of debt between a favour giver and recipient, and the persistence of debt, so that guanxi exchanges are not exhausted or concluded. Finally, acknowledging the costs as well as the benefits of guanxi, the chapter goes on to theorize the ‘efficiency’ of guanxi, which relates to the societal persistence of guanxi and its changing form. Finally, the association of guanxi and corruption is explored.