Illustration: Liu Xidan/GT

At the Qatar World Cup, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the emir of Qatar, said "How lovely it is that people can put aside what divides them to celebrate their diversity and what brings them together."

His message is obvious: diversity over division, inclusion over exclusion, communication over isolation and equality over discrimination.

A world plagued with estrangement, clashes, and superiority requires more than words. What we are in greater need is a clear, systematic and comprehensive plan and corresponding actions.

In the just concluded 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, a clearer blueprint for a better world has been drawn -- promoting the development of a human community with a shared future. 

Taking its roots in traditional Chinese culture, the concept of building a human community with a shared future can be better understood through the lens of ancient Chinese sayings.

First, "all human beings are in need of love. Despite differences, the Heaven will always protect them and the Earth carry them."

The old saying reveals the great value of equality and fraternity in the Chinese culture. The world we live in, however, is horrendously haunted by inequality and injustice.

"The deficit in peace, development, security and governance is growing. All of this is posing unprecedented challenges for human society," as rightly pointed out in the report to the 20th National Congress.

When George Floyd cried "I can't breathe" in despair, when gun violence devastated countless innocent families, when culprits of climate change turned a deaf ear to descending small island countries, the world deserves and expects greater love, compassion and equality.

When we wonder what is wrong with this world and what we should do about it, building a human community with a shared future is China's answer to this question.

Chinese President Xi Jinping said at Session I of the 17th G20 Summit, "All countries should replace division with unity, confrontation with cooperation, and exclusion with inclusiveness." His appeal to the world firmly demonstrates that however time changes, China's dedication to equality and compassion remains consistent.

Second, "a man of benevolence who wants to establish himself will establish others."

In traditional Chinese culture, benevolence and kindness have always been of great importance. China has always been committed to its foreign policy goals of upholding world peace and promoting common development.

China honors its words with deeds. Its foreign aid has born fruits in many countries: Chinese scientist Yuan Longping helped feed starving children in Africa, China's high-speed railway technology greatly shortens travel time between Jakarta and Bandung, China-Pacific Island Countries Climate Action Cooperation Center lights up hope for island dwellers in danger of homelessness, China was the first country to deliver clean water and food when Tonga faced dreadful volcano eruption, China-Solomons Security Agreement resets order to the peace-yearning country, "China grass" "Juncao" has helped Papua New Guinea with alleviation of poverty and soil erosion.

Chinese President Xi Jinping appeals to the world, "only when all countries pursue the cause of common good, live in harmony, and engage in cooperation for mutual benefit will there be sustained prosperity and guaranteed security." In the face of global challenges and disasters, China has never been absent or stayed aloof. It holds dear the building of a human community with a shared future, the overarching goal of major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics.

For China, being kind is neither throwing out bones nor for something. If any, a better world. A better world, a better China; a better China, a better world.

Third, "all living things may grow side by side without harming one another, and different roads may run in parallel without interfering with one another."

In the Chinese culture, peaceful coexistence has always been its belief and it provides guidance to China in pursuing friendship and cooperation with other countries. We may come from different countries, cultures, civilizations, but these differences do not hinder us from pursuing values we all share -- peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom.

What these values to all countries are what the sun to its orbiting planets. Planets peacefully orbit around a shared center on different trajectories, and countries are fully capable of coexisting in harmony without interfering with each other. For instance, APEC members are diversified in culture, political system, and development stage, but their "robust economic cooperation in the region has created the 'Asia-Pacific miracle' admired across the world," as stated by the Chinese President Xi Jinping in the 29th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.

This miracle attests to the feasibility and sound effect of peaceful coexistence as well as the critical importance of the core values embedded in the human community with a shared future.

Past-nurtured, Future-oriented

Though it is an era fraught with challenges, this is also an era brimming with hope.

The vision, absorbing nutrients in the ancient Chinese culture, is now supporting the whole world in ushering in a brighter future.

In building a human community with a shared future, China pursues not only happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation, but also human progress and world harmony. It is developing keen insight into the trends of human development and progress, responding to the general concerns of people of all countries, and playing a part in resolving the common issues facing humankind.

To that, the international community has given a huge applause. For instance, it has been included in all three resolutions of the 77th UN Disarmament and International Security Committee.

Besides, China is turning the vision into reality. It has put forward the Global Development Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, and stands ready to work with the international community to put these two initiatives into action. The Chinese people, to create an even brighter future for humanity, are also ready to work hand in hand with people across the world.

The world can believe in a human community with a shared future as it can always believe in China, a country of a global vision and actions.

The author is an international observer. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn