Real harmony anchored upon recognition of and respect for disparities: Chinese FM

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi made the case about China-U.S. relations Tuesday that real harmony is anchored upon recognition of and respect for disparities.

Since China and the United States differ from each other in history, culture, social system, development path and national conditions, it is inevitable for them to have disagreements and even frictions, said Wang.

What matters most is how to perceive objectively and handle them properly, he said while addressing a dinner co-hosted by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, U.S.-China Business Council, U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Council on Foreign Relations.

Citing a saying from Chinese sage Confucius that "A gentleman seeks harmony without uniformity whereas a petty man does the converse," and U.S. philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson's take that in true friendship, both parties "recognize the deep identity which, beneath their disparities, unites them," the top diplomat noted that real harmony is anchored upon recognition of and respect for disparities.

The advance of human civilization must not stop, still less go backward, Wang stressed, adding that differences and disparities should not be a chasm that prevents people from engaging each other, but impetus to mutual learning and shared progress.