Whether delivering speeches or publishing articles in foreign newspapers, Chinese President Xi Jinping always expresses himself eloquently by using local sayings, proverbs and dictums.
Let's review some of the foreign proverbs and sayings from Xi's articles and speeches.
Central Asian Proverb:
There is a proverb popular among farmers in Shaanxi Province, "If you work hard enough, gold will grow out of the land." In the same vein, a Central Asian saying goes,"You get rewarded if you give, and you harvest if you sow."Let us work closely together to pursue common development, common affluence, and common prosperity, and embrace a brighter future for our six countries!
—— Chinese President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at China-Central Asia Summit on May 19, 2023
French Proverb:
There is a French saying: "Little by little, the bird builds its nest." And there is a Chinese saying: "A towering tree grows out of a small seedling; a nine-storeyed terrace begins with heaps of earth." The China-France friendship owes itself to the dedication of the Chinese and French peoples. Here, I wish to take this opportunity to pay high tribute to all those who have worked quietly to strengthen China-France friendship.
—— Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the Meeting Commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Establishment of China-France Diplomatic Relations on March 27, 2014
Victor Hugo once said, "There is a prospect greater than the sea, and it is the sky; there is a prospect greater than the sky, and it is the human soul." Indeed, we need a mind that is broader than the sky as we approach different civilizations. Civilizations are like water, moistening everything silently.
—— Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at UNESCO Headquarters on March 27, 2014
Latin American Proverb:
There is a proverb in Latin America, "Condition of good friends, condition of old wine." The friendship between China and Mexico, which has grown from one generation to another, is like a bottle of aged Tequila, brimming with ever fresh fragrance with the passage of time.
——Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the Senate of Mexico on June 5, 2013
Central and Eastern European Proverb:
As a saying in Central and Eastern Europe goes, "Good advice is better than gold." I hope our discussion today will build on our consensus and draw a new blueprint for China-CEEC cooperation under the new circumstances. With our shared commitment and efforts, we will surely achieve more solid, substantive and enduring progress in the cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European countries.
—— Chinese President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the China-CEEC Summit on February 9, 2021
African Proverbs/Sayings:
As an African proverb goes, "One single pillar is not sufficient to build a house." In China, we have an old saying, which reads, "The going is difficult when doing it alone; the going is made easier when doing it with many others." By working closely together, Asian and African countries will gain far more than what their combined strengths could produce.
—— Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at Asian-African Summit on April 22, 2015
As an African saying goes, "A river runs deep because of its source." The friendly exchanges between China and Africa date back a long time. In the 1950s and 60s, the first-generation leaders of New China - Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai and others - and African statesmen of the older generation ushered in a new epoch in China-Africa relations. Since then, the Chinese and African people have sincerely supported and closely cooperated with each other in the endeavor to fight against colonialism and imperialism and achieve national independence and liberation, and in the pursuit of development and national revival. A fraternal bond has been formed in this process, which has seen us through thick and thin.
—— Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Center in Tanzania on March 25, 2013
This year marks the centenary of the birth of Nelson Mandela. Let me quote one of his famous sayings, "After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb." Indeed, the history of BRICS cooperation is a journey of our five countries climbing great hills only to reach new heights. I am convinced that when our five countries forge ahead together, we will scale new peaks, reach new heights, and make even greater contribution to peace and development of mankind.
—— Chinese president Xi Jinping's speech at BRICS Business Forum in South Africa on July 25, 2018
To quote Mr. Mandela, "The African rebirth is now more than an idea. Its seeds are being sown in the regional communities we are busy building and in the continent as a whole." With unremitting efforts, South Africa and the rest of the African Continent gained a new life in the last century. I am confident that this century will witness the rejuvenation of South Africa and that of the whole African Continent. Let us work together for a new era of China-South Africa friendship.
—— Chinese President Xi Jinping's signed article on South African media The Sunday Independent, Sunday Tribune and Weekend Argus on July 22, 2018
Italian Saying:
The well-known Italian writer Alberto Moravia once wrote, "Friendships are not chosen by chance, but according to the passions that dominate us." In a world that faces profound changes of a kind unseen in a century, the onus is on us to bring China-Italy relations to a higher level and to jointly safeguard world peace, stability, development and prosperity.
—— Chinese President Xi Jinping's signed article on Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera on March 20, 2019
Spanish Saying:
The Spanish philosopher Jose Ortega Gasset once observed, one can only make progress when he thinks big, and move forward when he looks far. China looks forward to working with Spain to share opportunities and jointly meet challenges. Together, we can write a new chapter in China-Spain relations and usher in an even brighter future for our peoples.
—— Chinese President Xi Jinping's signed article on Spanish newspaper ABC on November 27, 2018
Uzbek Proverb:
A Uzbek proverb goes, "A tree gets attention only when it bears fruits." China-Uzbekistan cooperation across the board has yielded fruitful results, and has benefited and won the support of our two peoples. I believe that in realizing our respective national development and rejuvenation, our two countries will join hands and write a glorious new chapter of China-Uzbekistan friendship.
—— Chinese president Xi Jinping's signed article on Uzbek newspaper Narodnoye Slove on June 21, 2016
Kyrgyz Proverb:
As a Kyrgyz saying goes, "Brotherhood is more valuable than all the wealth in the world." Likewise, the Chinese often say, "When brothers are of the same mind, they can cut metal through." In a world undergoing changes unseen in a century, it is important for China and Kyrgyzstan to join hands and meet challenges together to ensure the sustained, steady and healthy growth of our bilateral relations. That is a historical responsibility we share.
—— Chinese President Xi Jinping's signed article on Slovo Kyrgyzstana newspaper and the Kabar News Agency on June 11, 2019
Nepalese Proverb:
The Nepalis often say, "Drop by drop is the water pot filled." There is also a Chinese saying: "The flame runs high when everyone adds wood to the fire." I am convinced that as long as our two countries carry forward our tradition of friendship and keep increasing our exchanges and cooperation, we will together take our friendship across the Himalayas to a new height.
—— Chinese President Xi Jinping's signed article on Nepali newspapers Gorkhapatra Daily, The Rising Nepal and Kantipur Daily on October 11, 2019
Lao Proverb:
As a Lao saying goes, one piece of firewood does not make high flames, and a single wood stick does not make a fence. The Chinese believe that people, if united, are as strong as a fortress, and flame runs high if everyone adds wood to it. I am convinced that as long as our two countries trust each other and work together, we will create an even better future for our bilateral relations.
—— Chinese President Xi Jinping's signed article on Lao media the Pasaxon (the People), the Pathet Lao, and the Vientiane Times, November 13, 2017
Vietnamese Proverb:
China has a saying, "Adversity makes one stronger, just as polishing makes jade finer." A Vietnamese saying says, "Do not put down your oar just because the waves run high." As good neighbors, friends, comrades and partners whose future is closely interconnected, we need to uphold and further grow our relations, support each other in our endeavors for stability, reform and people's livelihood, jointly advance the cause of socialism and promote regional peace, stability, openness and development.
—— Chinese President Xi Jinping's signed article on Vietnamese media Nhan Dan, November 9, 2017
German Proverb:
A German saying goes to the effect that, "Those who work alone, add; those who work together, multiply." In this spirit, let us work together to promote interconnected growth for shared prosperity and build toward a global community with a shared future.
—— Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at G20 Hamburg Summit on July 7, 2017
Arab Proverb:
An ancient Chinese saying goes, "A long journey can be covered only by taking one step at a time". Similarly, there is an Arab proverb which says thatthe Pyramid was built by piling one stone on another.In Europe, there is also the saying that"Rome wasn’t built in a day."The Belt and Road Initiative is a great undertaking which requires dedicated efforts. Let us pursue this initiative step by step and deliver outcome one by one. By doing so, we will bring true benefit to both the world and all our people!
—— President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation on May 14, 2017
European Proverb:
An ancient Chinese saying goes, "A long journey can be covered only by taking one step at a time". Similarly, there is an Arab proverb which says that the Pyramid was built by piling one stone on another. In Europe, there is also the saying that"Rome wasn't built in a day."The Belt and Road Initiative is a great undertaking which requires dedicated efforts. Let us pursue this initiative step by step and deliver outcome one by one. By doing so, we will bring true benefit to both the world and all our people!
—— President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the opening ceremony of the Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation on May 14, 2017
Russian Proverb:
What we do today bears on the well-being of the three billion people in the BRICS countries as well as on the destiny and future of the whole world and the entire mankind. As a Russian proverb goes, "The road to success is always bumpy and tortuous." So let us embark on this journey together, work hand in hand to build a closer partnership among the BRICS countries and create an even better future for us all.
——Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the Seventh BRICS Summit on July 9, 2015
British Sayings:
"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." These are the words used by the English writer Charles Dickens to describe the world after the Industrial Revolution. Today, we also live in a world of contradictions.
—— Chinese President Xi Jinping's keynote speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland on January 17, 2017
Shakespeare wrote, "What's past is prologue." We are in an age of pursuing peace and development. It is also an age in which countries meet challenges and forge ahead together.
—— Chinese President Xi Jinping's speech at the UK Parliament on October 20, 2015
