FROM EIR DAILY ALERT
Xi Jinping Invokes Spirit of Confucius for SCO To Create a ‘World That Enjoys Lasting Peace’
June 10, 2018 (EIRNS)—From his opening remarks at the June 10 banquet welcoming the international delegations to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in China, Xi turned to Confucius for the profound and poetic concepts needed to orient the next stage of SCO activity—and the world. After stating that it was a pleasure to receive his guests in Qingdao, Shandong Province, Xi said, as reported by Xinhua:
“Shandong is the home province of Confucius and birthplace of Confucianism. An integral part of Chinese civilization, Confucianism believes that ‘a just cause should be pursued for the common good,’ and champions harmony, unity and a shared community for all nations, Xi told the guests. Its emphasis on unity and harmony has much in common with the Shanghai Spirit, namely, mutual trust, mutual benefit, equality, consultation, respect for diverse civilizations and pursuit of common development, he said. ‘The Shanghai Spirit’s focus on seeking common ground while setting aside differences and pursuing mutually beneficial cooperation has won widespread international endorsement and support,’ the Chinese President said.”
And later in his official remarks to the summit, titled “Carrying Forward the Shanghai Spirit To Build a Community with a Shared Future,” President Xi began his remarks:
“In this lovely season of June, I am delighted to welcome all of you to the picturesque city of Qingdao for the 18th meeting of the Council of Heads of Member States of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO). Over 2,500 years ago, Confucius, the great Chinese philosopher, had this to say: ‘What a joy to have friends coming from afar!’ It is therefore of special significance that I host my distinguished guests in Shandong, the home province of Confucius, for a summit that will chart the future course for the SCO.”
Xi also invoked the ideas Mencius, a follower of Confucius, in the same speech:
“Mencius, another ancient Chinese philosopher, aptly observed, ‘When Confucius looks down from the peak of the Dongshan Mountain, the local Kingdom of Lu comes into view; when he looks down from the peak of Mount Tai, the whole land comes into view.’ At a time when the world is undergoing major developments, transformation and adjustment, we must aim high and look far, and keep pace with the underlying trend of both the world and our times to push for more progress of human civilization.”
