Modern Chinese concept's ancient origins

"All people are my brothers and sisters, and all things are my companions" reflects typical Confucianism in China.

This idea was first put forward by Zhang Zai (1020-1077) of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), who held that people and things are all created by the vital force of heaven and earth, and thus have the same nature.

Zhang advocated love for all the people and things in the world, and his view transcended the old anthropocentric viewpoint and aimed to reach harmony among people as well as between humans and other creatures.

It is the same as the idea that a true gentleman has ample virtue and care for all things. This notion is an important part of the neo-Confucianism thought during the Song and Ming (1368-1644) dynasties.

Its extended meaning refers to the state of harmony among people, as well as the unity of all things all over the world.

The old saying has influenced generations of Chinese people and has become the guide for people to deal with interpersonal relationships and the relations between humans and all things with benevolence.

It is not only an important value concept of the harmonious development of the Chinese nation, but also an important cultural origin for building a "community with a shared future for mankind", a concept China has presented to the world in a bid to create a better future and to help cope with difficulties currently facing the global community.

The old saying embodies China's global vision of integrating its own development with that of the world, and a sense of responsibility as a major country.

Against the backdrop of the pandemic, China has provided nearly 2 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines to more than 120 countries and international organizations, and contributed to the fair distribution and use of vaccines worldwide.

The ongoing Beijing 2022 Olympic and the upcoming Paralympic Winter Games serve as a grand gathering of athletes from across the world. It also advocates a universal goal of unity, peace, progress and inclusiveness.

Its official motto of "Together for a Shared Future" is also in line with China's initiative, representing the modern application and development of the old Chinese saying.

Xinhua