The ocean is vast because it admits all rivers.
This is a motto of Lin Zexu (1785-1850), an official of the Qing Dynasty well-known for his efforts to ban imported opium. It encourages people to be open-minded, generous and tolerant, just like the vast ocean that admits all rivers. This reflects the moral sense of adjusting relations between oneself and other people to achieve social harmony, while recognizing and respecting individual and social differences. But it is not simply tolerance or compromise without principle. It reminds people, officials in particular, to be open to diverse opinions and treat all things kindly, like an ocean that embraces big rivers and small streams. This will help one shape a generous character and achieve great success.
In his speech at the UN Office at Geneva in January 2017, Xi Jinping said: The ocean is vast because it admits all rivers. He emphasized that the international community should advance democracy in international relations and reject dominance by just one or several countries. All countries should jointly shape the future of the world, write international rules, manage global affairs, and ensure that development outcomes are shared by all.
海纳百川，有容乃大
“海纳百川，有容乃大”出自民族英雄林则徐的一副自勉联，意为要拥有像大海能容纳无数江河水一样宽广辽阔的胸襟和大气包容的品性。这一理念是在承认并尊重个体及社会差异基础上调处自我与他人关系、寻求社会和谐的一种道德自觉，但又不是故意纵容或作无原则的妥协。其提醒人们立身行事尤其是为官理政，要心胸开阔，善于听取各种意见，宽和对待不同事物，就像大海接纳无数江河细流一样，唯有如此才能养成伟大的品格，成就伟大的事业。
2017年1月，习近平在联合国日内瓦总部的演讲中引用“海纳百川，有容乃大”，强调国际社会要推进国际关系民主化，不能搞“一国独霸”或“几方共治”。世界命运应该由各国共同掌握，国际规则应该由各国共同书写，全球事务应该由各国共同治理，发展成果应该由各国共同分享。