Gene J. Hsu | ABC Life

Illustration featuring diverse group of four young people chatting in a lively urban setting with a baseball stadium and city skyline in the background. The text 'ABC in the Middle' is prominently displayed.

Dispel the reality distortion field and unlock a new China reality.

The Chinese Honeymoon Period is a phenomenon when your counterparts extend constant goodwill through exaggerated praise, insisted assistance, and the sharing of inside information. Embrace uncertainty and trust the process with eyes wide open, but first allow me to remove your myopic blinders.

Book cover for 'The Chinese Honeymoon in 2026 and Beyond' by Gene J. Hsu, featuring a statue of a Chinese warrior and a chess piece with the American flag design, emphasizing themes of psychological breakthroughs and cross-cultural communication.

Latest Chinese Insights

Watercolor illustration of Western business executives and Chinese hosts exchanging a contract and a gift at a tea table, symbolizing cross-cultural negotiation

June 30, 2026

Why Removing “Yes” and “No” from Your Chinese Vocabulary Changes Everything

A flat “No” rarely gets said in China — and that’s by design. This post breaks down six Mandarin phrases Chinese counterparts use to decline, deflect, or delay without causing a loss of Face, and what Western professionals consistently miss when they hear them.

Read more →

Chinese psychology training guide for predictable collaboration.

Every foreigner’s journey in China is different, but the cross-cultural challenges are similar and uniquely Chinese. Circular conversations, Guanxi-driven networks, Face-giving rituals, and strange superstitions, to name a few, make simple things extraordinarily complicated. My content breaks down how Chinese people think, why they behave the way they do, and how predictable cooperation occurs through simple tactics that can be easily molded into your grand China strategy.

FREE INSIGHT GUIDE (CHINESE THINKING) VISIT MY AMAZON AUTHOR’S PAGE
Silhouette of a human head with a swirling brain graphic inside.

Learn Chinese Thinking

Discover how they think, why they behave the way they do, and the real difference makers in China.

A minimalist illustration of a winding road leading to a sun-like circle, symbolizing a journey or path.

Approach China Wiser

Learn to manage their perceptions and embrace their rituals to deepen your Guanxi, naturally.

Symbol of two figures representing connection and support, enclosed in a circular design.

Align Two Worlds

Unlock imagination and purpose-driven curiosity to enhance your cross-cultural relationships.

Meet Gene J. Hsu

Gene believes better communication begins with curiosity and awareness—not stereotypes, assumptions, or surface-level language skills. After spending decades living and working across Greater China as a fluent Mandarin Chinese speaker, Gene realized “knowing how to speak Chinese doesn’t mean you know what to say in Chinese,” but knowing what to say works in any language.

Coaching others how to play and win in China is my mission to improve US–China relations, one cross-cultural relationship at a time. I can show you how to escape the “Chinese honeymoon period” so you can better understand not only China, but yourself. [read my story]

A man in a suit jacket speaking into a microphone in front of a large screen displaying a group photo of children in football uniforms.

Past Clients & Partners

Connect with me on LinkedIn to read the full testimonials and let’s engage directly.

Intercultural Communication Expert

I was looking for an expert on Chinese culture and communication, and meeting Gene has really been a stroke of luck.

A woman with long brown hair smiling, wearing a black turtleneck sweater, in front of a bookshelf filled with colorful books and decorations.

Cristina A.

Program Management, Business Strategy

Gene, who as an American who spoke Chinese, seemingly was more effective  in communication with the customer…

A professional headshot of a man with short red hair and a slight smile, wearing a dark suit and white shirt against a light gray background.

Jaap v.

CEO, Keystone Group (Shanghai)

Working in a diverse cultural environment like Shanghai, your cultural insights and coaching sessions were extremely valuable…

A smiling older man with white hair wearing glasses and a suit, set against a neutral background.

James W.

Chinese Cultural Insights

A new journey into China

Learn how studying Mandarin through their cultural lens prepares you to play and win the China game inside the Chinese arena.

Speak Less, Guanxi More

reveals how stronger relationships—not louder words—are often the real key to working more collaboratively with Chinese people and culture.

Buy Direct (Save 27%)

The Chinese Honeymoon Period

explores the hidden psychological truths that shapes how Westerners first experience China—and why perceptions often change over time.

Buy On Amazon

The Audible Experience

uncover the cultural, emotional, and psychological forces shaping modern U.S.–China relationships my personal journey between two worlds.

Listen on Audible