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The Study of Chinese Culture Guoxue, national learning or the study of Chinese culture, focuses on the native culture of China, as opposed to xzxue, or Western learning. It is a systematic study using two coordinates -a horizontal one that involves inter-cultural analysis and a vertical one that goes back in history, comparing the ancient with the contemporary and the classical with the popular. The culture referred to as traditional here is that prior to the New Culture Movement（1910s-1920s）, which heralded the modern era in China. In this sense guoxue is both a concept of differentiation and a concept of time.

Its content is however limited to the best of traditional Chinese culture, which is congruent with universal values and still has relevance in today's world.

Recent years have seen a guoxue craze, sparking a debate over whether it is ephemeral or permanent and even gain more momentum. A historical anecdote may offer a clue to the answer: Ran You was driving the Master, Confucius (551-479BC), on a trip to the State of We. Confucius said, "How populous it is here."Ran You asked, "Once there are many people, what should be done?" "Enrich them", said the Master. "Once they are enriched, what next?" "Educate them."

This conversation reveals a rule of social development that is self-evident in the course of Chinese history: In fact, , the rise of any nation follows the order of strengthening, becoming wealthier and making culture and education thrive. National strength is a necessary condition for stability in domestic politics and peace among the people. Improved livelihood can further stimulate economic development. And thriving culture and education can create more knowledgeable and responsible citizens, and boost social morality. In Chinese history all dynasties that rerouted the nation after long wars set restoring peace as their priority in their early years. Then they shifted their focus to rehabilitating and rebuilding the nation before developing its culture and education.