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Be bent on showing traditional Oriental respect (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

kowtow

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'traditional oriental respect' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how one could define the other.

'be bent on' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'on' could be 'to' and 'to' is found within the answer.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'showing' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for kowtow that I've seen before include "Kneel in hommage" , "Gesture of submission" , "Chinese submissive gesture" , "Bow and scrape" , "Abase oneself" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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