The friendship between men of virtue is as pure as water.
This is from Zhuang Zi (The Book of Zhuang Zi), a collection of the works by Zhuang Zi (c. 369-286 BC), also known as Zhuang Zhou, a writer and major Daoist philosopher of the Warring States Period. It means that men of virtue build their relationship on justice, and they only maintain ties with people who cherish the same ideals. Such relationships are as pure as clear water, and are based on deep affection and strong loyalty among those who cherish them. In contrast, shallow people often associate with one another for private gain, and their relationships look close but break apart quickly once the proceeds have been split.
Pure relationships of like-minded people have been treasured in China since ancient times, as the nation values friendship based on justice and disapproves of shallow relationships built on the pursuit of private gain.
When joining the deputies from Jiangsu Province to the First Session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) in March 2013, Xi Jinping said: Power is surrounded by too many temptations and snares. In dealing with material interests, the officials must treat the business people cordially, but not collude with them, and they must make a clear distinction between public and private interests.
君子之交淡如水
“君子之交淡如水”出自《庄子》，意为君子之间的交情建立在道义基础之上，高雅纯净，清淡如水。君子之间的交往，与“小人之交”相对。“君子”是品德高尚的人，他们之间的交往是因为志同道合，看似平淡如水，实则情深义重；“小人”是品德低下的人，他们之间的交往是为了谋取私利，看似表面亲密，实则利尽义绝。“君子之交”自古为中国人所崇尚，其中蕴含着重道义、轻私利，褒君子、贬小人的价值观念。
2013年3月，习近平在参加十二届全国人大一次会议江苏代表团审议时强调，现在的社会，诱惑太多，围绕权力的陷阱太多。面对纷繁的物质利益，要做到君子之交淡如水，“官”“商”交往要有道，相敬如宾，而不要勾肩搭背、不分彼此，要划出公私分明的界限。