China has long faced resource constraints relative to its vast population. This scarcity has shaped a mindset of careful allocation, collective responsibility, and pragmatic adaptation. Decision-making reflects an emphasis on maximizing utility, preserving balance, and aligning limited means with long-term goals. People and relationships are considered essential resources, often valued more than material assets. As a result, Chinese decision-makers tend to plan conservatively, seek efficiency through cooperation, and use social networks to extend their access to scarce or uncertain resources.