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.
以和为贵
“以和为贵”出自《论语》，意为礼之运用，贵在能和，就是主张借礼法的作用来保持人与人之间的和谐关系。以和为贵，是儒家倡导的道德实践原则，表明中华民族历来爱好和平，“和”的民族基因从未变异，“和”的文化源远流长。和平、和睦、和谐的追求深深植根于中华民族的精神世界之中，融化在中华民族的血液里。
2017年1月，习近平在联合国日内瓦总部的演讲中强调，中华文明历来崇尚“以和为贵”。中国人民深信，只有和平安宁才能繁荣发展。中国从一个积贫积弱的国家发展成为世界第二大经济体，靠的不是对外军事扩张和殖民掠夺，而是人民勤劳、维护和平。中国将始终不渝走和平发展道路。
