When did the Chinese writing system develop?
Written Chinese
Regular script is considered the archetype for Chinese writing, and forms the basis for most printed forms.  In addition, regular script imposes a stroke order, which must be followed in order for the characters to be written correctly.[29]  (Strictly speaking, this stroke order applies to the clerical, running, and grass scripts as well, but especially in the running and grass scripts, this order is occasionally deviated from.)  Thus, for instance, the character 木 mù "wood" must be written starting with the horizontal stroke, drawn from left to right; next, the vertical stroke, from top to bottom; next, the left diagonal stroke, from top to bottom; and lastly the right diagonal stroke, from top to bottom.[30]