University of the RockiesFamily is a central construct in Chinese life. Although central, it is also a changing construct as China becomes an increasingly international nation. This article discusses the Chinese family system in context, the challenges to existing constructs, and issues of cultural competence in the midst of change. Using diverse constructs such as pastoral care, existential ethics, and systemic approaches, it is possible to develop means of approaching family life in China both therapeutically and in a way that respects the freedom and dignity of a people in flux.In March and April of 2010, we converged in Nanjing, China for the First International Conference on Existential Psychology after nearly two weeks of traveling across China talking about existential psychology and marriage and family therapy. Originating from the Bahamas, China, Great Britain, and the United States, we were fascinated by the interplay of culture and our chosen disciplines, and inspired by the conversations that emerged from a series of presentations on existential psychology, marriage and family therapy, and culture at the Nanjing conference. THE IMPORTANCE OF CONFUCIANISMConfucius is an important figure in Chinese culture. Various governments over the centuries sought to legitimize their rule by espousing Confucian principles or to do away with the teachings of Confucius, similar to how the Soviet powers tried to do away with religion. The latter