Oriental wisdom opens new chapter of China-ASEAN ties

"Gentlemen seek harmony but not uniformity." The ancient Chinese philosophy championed by Confucius has had far-reaching influence on the values of the Chinese people.

In the contacts and exchanges with ASEAN countries, China's policy of seeking good-neighborliness, concord and win-win cooperation has perfectly conveyed its diplomatic concept.

At this crucial juncture, when China and ASEAN have witnessed the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership, China's top leaders proposed new objectives, initiatives and mindsets during their recent visits to the Southeast Asian nations, in a move to lift the bilateral relationship to a higher level.

NEW POLITICAL GOAL -- SEEKING COMMON GROUND WHILE RESERVING DIFFERENCES

Different ethnic groups, political and cultural systems, religious beliefs and development stages have combined to form a diversified Asian landscape. In this expansive context, China and ASEAN have gone through a brilliant "golden decade." Increasingly frequent use of such descriptions as "comprehensive," "strategic" and "partnership" suggests a gradual and steady improvement of their bilateral ties.

Today global political, economic, financial and trade patterns are undergoing an intensive reshuffle, where old and new meet while challenges and opportunities coexist. It is an overriding trend to pursue development, promote peace, and safeguard the interests of the developing world.

Analysts note that respect for each other and non-interference in domestic affairs is the intrinsic nature of the China-ASEAN relationship, and mutual trust and harmony is the common ground. China's defining foreign policy of good-neighborliness has won the trust of ASEAN countries, while in turn Beijing fully supports a stronger ASEAN through unity.

Be there cooperation or dispute, trust or suspicion, the China-ASEAN relationship is always in the limelight. But as reiterated by Chinese President Xi Jinping, building a closer community with neighbors and sharing a common destiny is the correct road to take.

A retrospective look reveals that coexistence in harmony and seeking common ground has always been the bedrock of China-ASEAN ties, despite all the twists and turns.

Confucius once said, "Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself." The "big powers seek hegemony" talk runs counter to China's traditional wisdom, as Chinese Premier Li Keqiang has said, we should "plant flowers, no thorns."

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung spoke highly of China's consistent policy of building goodwill with its ASEAN neighbors. He believed that with strong political will from all parties, the ASEAN-China strategic partnership will further develop, contributing to regional peace and common development.