Interesting. Thomas Sowell mentioned this Chinese work ehtic in one of his books. Particularly the first Chinese immigrants who helped build the railroads, not just here but those who immigrated to Australia. Our friends Down Under had a saying, Chinese RR workers “could live off the sweat of an oil rag.”
...Mr. Sowell is not, in fact, arguing that genetic endowment determines group performance. Cultural heritage and historical experience are for him the main variables that explain how well groups respond to market opportunities. In the case of the Chinese, a traditional capacity for hard work or ''persistent application'' has been the key to success. His less successful groups allegedly derive from cultures that have not inculcated a comparable work ethic.
Interesting... thanks for sharing.