Being benevolent and friendly toward neighboring states
This term comes from Zuo's Commentary on the Spring and Autumn Annals. It is a principle for handling relations among individuals and between states. Benevolence is the basis for good neighborliness, and both sides should pursue benevolence. As applied to the relations with other states, it cherishes both principle and pragmatism, and reflects the Chinese nation's pursuit of harmonious relations with other nations based on amity.
Speaking at the opening of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations in May 2019, Xi Jinping said: For the Chinese civilization, pursuing amity, good neighborliness and harmony is the principle guiding our interactions with other countries.
China has followed the principles of friendship, good faith, mutual benefit, and inclusiveness in its neighborhood diplomacy, and forged friendships and partnerships with its neighbors to build a community of shared future. This is a true reflection of the ancient philosophy of building friendship with neighbors.
亲仁善邻
“亲仁善邻”出自《左传》，意为与仁德亲近，与邻邦友好，是个人和国家都应该坚持的原则。这一理念强调“亲仁”是建立“善邻”关系的基础，即双方都应当共同遵循仁德，体现了原则性和务实性相统一的国际关系理念，展现了中华民族崇尚“仁”与“协和万邦”的基本精神。
2019年5月，习近平在亚洲文明对话大会开幕式上指出，亲仁善邻、协和万邦是中华文明一贯的处世之道。中国秉持亲诚惠容理念和与邻为善、以邻为伴的周边外交方针，深化同周边国家关系，打造周边命运共同体，充分体现了这一传统智慧。