For those unfamiliar with the term "guanxi"- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guanxi

You can think of it as tantamount to one's network, and the amount of influence within that network. Basically, "it's not what you know, it's who you know".

Source- lived in Shanghai for 5+ years.

It's pretty rich to claim the who-you-know culture in China is not influenced by money. Bribery is how you get everything from good grades, to good employment, promotions, get out of jail etc.

the who-you-know culture serves a totally different function than monetary bribes. bribes are very fungible.

Can you expand on that? Bribes do get you position or grades, so I do not see the distinction.

if you really need someone to give you a breakdown + application of the idea of fungibility to bribes to see the distinction, here you go:

when you bribe a teacher for a better grade, you aren't utilizing a relationship to induce a change in outcome, you are utilizing money, money that holds value independent of who is providing the bribe.

edit:i am making the assumption that parent read at least the wiki blurb of what the parent is replying to.

Money helps you get to know people, particularly in China for things like getting grades and jobs. If, after you give them money, they then "know" you, money was still part of the equation.

Please familiarize yourself with HN guidelines on comment etiquette: https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html