Beijing, 15 May (H.S.):

Mao Ning, spokeswoman for China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, posted a photograph this morning of President Xi Jinping with US President Donald Trump and others during a visit to the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at Beijing’s Temple of Heaven. She wrote, “President Xi Jinping explained to Trump and his family the concept of ‘harmony among all beings’ and the importance of respect for the laws of nature.” Trump is in Beijing on the third day of his state visit to China. He and his family toured the Temple of Heaven on Thursday.

In a second post, Mao Ning wrote that Xi believes the peoples of both China and the United States are great. The revival of China’s greatness and the restoration of America’s greatness, she quoted him as saying, can proceed together. China and the US can help each other succeed and contribute to the welfare of the world. Ning added that China–US relations affect the well‑being of more than 1.7 billion people in the two countries and influence the interests of over eight billion people globally.

At the historic Temple of Heaven in Beijing, Xi—accompanying Trump—emphasized respect for the laws of nature and the importance of living in harmony with nature. This concept forms part of the Chinese worldview and reflects the “harmony between heaven and humanity.” Mao Ning said the purpose of explaining this philosophy was to foster a spirit of cooperation.

The concept of “harmony among all beings” is also described as the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. Modern China has adopted this ancient philosophical idea as a foundation of its ecological civilisation. The concept draws particularly on Taoist and Confucian influences. It holds that humans are not separate from nature but part of it; people should respect nature, follow its laws, and protect it.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar