China has a very old and rich tradition in literature as well as art and the performing arts. The earliest writing are generally based on philosophical or religious thought, including the writings of Confucius (551-479 BC) and Lao-tzu (about 4th century BC). These works concentrated on ethical and social relationships as well as concepts on government and military matters. A strong tradition of historical writing exists in Chinese culture. After the fall of a dynasty, for example, a grand history of the late dynasty was commissioned and written by scholars in the next dynasty.

In addition to philosophical, religious, and historical writings, China also produced poetry, novels, and dramatic writings from an early date. Poetry became well established as a literary form during the Tang Dynasty, from AD 618 to 907.

Early Chinese novelists often chose central themes of relationships, personal development and character building and the actions of individuals when confronted with unusual of supernatural events. Probbaly the most famous such novel in the West is the classic Ming version of 'Shui-hu chuan' (The Water Margin). The adventures of the 'Monkey King' are also well known through the popular television adaptation.

China's literary tradition continues today, though much 20th-century writing has concentrated on efforts to reform or modernize China. Probably the most famous 20th-century writer is Lu Xun, a poet, essayist, and novelist whose work focused on the need to modernize through revolution. Under socialism, writers have been expected to uphold the values of the socialist state, though the degree of control over their output has varied. Certainly the writings of Lu Xun make for excellent reading.