Chinese culture in history has never stopped developing.It has enriched itself through the contention and infiltration of various disciplines and schools of thought，and also through the mutual exchanges and learning between China and other countries in the world.Since old times，the Chinese people came to know full well the importance of "drawing widely upon others'strong points to improve oneself."The Han and Tang Dynasties were both an age of economic prosperity and also one of flourishing international exchanges.Imperial envoy Zhang Qian's trip to the "West"in the Han Dynasty，over 2，000years ago，opened up the world—famous Silk Road；Eminent Monk Xuan Zang，of the Tang Dynasty，brought back ancient culture after braving the long journey to South Asian countries.In the Ming Dynasty，Chinese navigator Cheng Ho led a fleet to what the people then called the "West Sea"seven times in the 15th century，spreading the Chinese culture to distant land.Only later on，especially in late Qing Dynasty，the feudal rulers adopted a policy of seclusion，which hampered China's progress and its exchanges with the outside world.After the Opium War，generation after generation of enlightened Chinese people have spared no efforts in learning from Western countries advanced science and cultural achievements in combination with China's realities and pushing for China's social reforms and development.Today，the Chinese people who are struggling to achieve modernization have made the opening—up a basic state policy and conducted extensive exchanges and cooperation with the rest of the world，thus creating a brand—new situation in its opening—up endeavor in the Chinese history.
Sunlight is composed of seven colors；so is our world full of colors and splendor.Every country and every nation has its own historical and cultural traditions，strong points and advantages.We should respect and learn from each other and draw upon others'strong points to offset one's own deficiencies for achieving common progress.
In the prolonged course of development，China has formed its fine historical and cultural traditions，which have been either developed or discarded with the changes of the times and social progress.These traditions have exerted a profound impact on the values and way of life of the Chinese people，and on China's road of development today.I would like to make the following observations，which I hope will help you to know China better.
First，the tradition of solidarity and unity.The Chinese nation is a big family composed of 56nationalities.Since time immemorial，people of all nationalities have established closely—knitted political，economic，and cultural links and joined hands in developing the vast land of our country.China became vast unified country more than 2，000years ago.The deep—rooted Chinese culture has become a strong bond for ethnic harmony and national unity.Solidarity and unity have been inscribed in the hearts of the Chinese people as part of their national identity.Despite occasional division in the Chinese history，ethnic harmony and national unity have remained the main stream in the history of the Chinese nation，and an important guarantee for China's development and progress.The founding of the People's Republic marked an unprecedented great unity of the Chinese nation.A new type of relationship of equality，solidarity，and mutual assistance between different nationalities has been established.People of all nationalities enjoy full rights and freedoms provided for by the law.In places where there is a high concentration of minority—nationality people，regional autonomy is in practice.All these have laid a solid political foundation for consolidated national unity.
Second，the tradition of maintaining independence.Our ancestors always regarded the spirit of maintaining independence as the foundation of a nation.China has all along maintained its cultural tradition without letup in the history of several thousand years.In modern times，the frequent bullying and humiliation by imperialist powers once weakened China.However，after 100years of struggle，China has stood up again as a giant.This fully testifies to the indestructible strength of the spirit of the Chinese people.Today，in finding a road to development suited to us，we will proceed from our own national conditions to address the issue of how to conduct economic construction and political and cultural advancement without blindly copying other countries'models.In handling international affairs，we decide our positions and policies from an independent approach.The Chinese people cherish its friendship and cooperation with other countries，as well as their right to independence they have won through protracted struggles.
Third，the peace—loving tradition.Chinese thinkers of the pre—Qin days advanced the doctrine "loving people and treating neighbors kindly are most valuable to a country."This is a reflection of the aspiration of the Chinese people for a peaceful world where people of all countries live in harmony.Today，the Chinese people who are committed to modernization need more than ever a long—term international environment of peace.China's foreign policy is peace—oriented.We will establish and develop friendly relations and cooperation with all countries in the world on the basis of the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence，especially the principles of mutual respect，equality and mutual benefit，and non—interference in each other's internal affairs.We will never impose upon others the kind of sufferings we once experienced.A developing and progressing China does not pose a threat to anyone.China will never seek hegemony，even if it is developed in the future.China is always a staunch force for world peace and regional stability.
