What's the difference between American and chinese culture?

The phrase' main cause' is unlikely to be helpful in discussing cultural differences. You would need to examine the whole history of each 'nation' which themselves are compendia of diverse social forces. Probably the main current significant differences are reflected in comparison of political systems. As far as China is concerned, its recent coercive 'one child' policy has obviously been a major comparative issue, but hardly constitutes a 'cause' in its own right. Attitudes to 'the value of life' in general, such as the treatment of animals, or 'human rights', are probably far more significant differences which underpin the evolution of Chinese politics.

But we could talk in generalities forever. Modern global relationships fuelled by communication technology seem to indicate cultural convergence rather than difference. Snapshots of 'differences' are forever being superceded.

Almost five thousand years ago, Huang-ti, the Yellow Emperor, asserted that the Han were superior and that they lived in the Middle Kingdom. Not in the middle of the nations, but between heaven and earth--the earth being a howling wilderness populated by savages, little better than apes. That was before China was even called China. American exceptionalism, as it is called, is only a few centuries old, but every bit as pervasive and pernicious.

But so what? The English once bought into that "the sun never sets on the British Empire" crap, the French think they're the only nature with true culture, which the Germans laugh at because they know that they[/í] are the only nation with true culture, while the Japanese despise us all as weaklings with no honor. I doubt that such cultural "verities" will ever disappear.

Plus ça change . . .

You are a perfect specimen to explain just why they will never disapear.
Other then that good post.

The fundamental subjective impression I see between West and Eastern cultures is lack of humor. They can't get a good joke. In turn they organize themselves better.