Chinese persuasion is significantly influenced by social proof—what others think, what is collectively validated, what respected others endorse. Arguments that can invoke social support carry weight beyond individual reasoning. Being able to show that recognized authorities agree, that successful precedents exist, that peers support a direction strengthens persuasion significantly. Collective validation provides warrant that individual argument may lack—positions that many have accepted carry credibility that new individual claims don’t.
When persuading in Chinese contexts, find ways to show social support for your position. Point to precedents, invoke authorities, demonstrate that others have reached similar conclusions. Isolation from social support weakens arguments regardless of intrinsic merit.
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