Harmony is invaluable.
This term comes from The Analects of Confucius. The original text says, "In conducting the rituals, the principle of harmony is the most valuable." Here, the rituals are used to help maintain harmonious relations among the people. This reflects the Confucian advocacy of harmony, and also shows the Chinese nation's love for peace.
Harmony has been part of the Chinese people's DNA since ancient time, and the culture of harmony has a long history. The pursuit of peace, amity and harmony is an integral part of the Chinese character that runs deep in the blood of the Chinese people.
In his speech at the UN Office at Geneva in January 2017, Xi Jinping said: Peace is cherished in the Chinese culture. We Chinese firmly believe that peace and stability are the only way to development and prosperity. China has grown from a poor and weak country to the second largest economy not through military expansion or colonial plunder, but through the hard work of its people and their efforts to uphold peace. China will never waver in its pursuit of peaceful development.
以和為貴
“以和為貴”出自《論語》，意為禮之運用，貴在能和，就是主張借禮法的作用來保持人與人之間的和諧關系。以和為貴，是儒家倡導的道德實踐原則，表明中華民族歷來愛好和平，“和”的民族基因從未變異，“和”的文化源遠流長。和平、和睦、和諧的追求深深植根于中華民族的精神世界之中，融化在中華民族的血液里。
2017年1月，習近平在聯合國日內瓦總部的演講中強調，中華文明歷來崇尚“以和為貴”。中國人民深信，只有和平安寧才能繁榮發展。中國從一個積貧積弱的國家發展成為世界第二大經濟體，靠的不是對外軍事擴張和殖民掠奪，而是人民勤勞、維護和平。中國將始終不渝走和平發展道路。
