The civilizational core of China is the legacy of the great Teacher - Confucius, with its subsequent modernization in the form of neo-Confucianism. The purpose of the article is to analyze the influence of the “movement for a new culture” on the process of the formation of modern neo-Confucianism, which is an ideological “prolongation” of the “movement of May 4, 1919” significant for Chinese history. Influenced by the ideological ideas of the “movement for a new culture”, Confucianism lost its social and political influence in China at the dawn of the 20th century for many decades. He had to endure an even more devastating blow and persecution during the "cultural" revolution. The foci of development of neo-Confucianism survived only in the academic circles of the West. On the territory of non-continental China (Taiwan), as well as in countries partially affected by Confucianism (Korea, Japan and a number of others). Amazingly, but true. Liberal ideas and Marxism - the main "enemies" of Confucianism, were later successfully "embedded" in the third wave of modern neo-Confucianism. At the present stage of development of Chinese society, Confucianism regards it as an equal ideological system to the dominant Marxism. Thus, it should be noted that neo-Confucianism turned out to be a rather stable and “plastic” social-philosophical system, able to take an “ideological blow” from the outside. Neo-Confucianism offered China a new doctrine of understanding "Man." A person open to the challenges of "postmodern time" with its technological and industrial growth. However, this man is firmly rooted in his historical roots (Confucianism).