'A mind broader than the sky': Xi and French culture

"ZHIYIN," OR BOSOM FRIENDS

Xi's appreciation for French culture explains why cultural exchanges have become increasingly prominent in his interactions with French leaders and in bilateral exchanges between the two countries.

In 2019 in the French city of Nice, French President Emmanuel Macron received Xi at Villa Kerylos, a century-old house overlooking the Mediterranean and seen as a microcosm reflecting European civilization. There Macron presented Xi with an ancient book: a precious copy of the original French version of "Confucius, or the Science of the Princes."

Featuring a brownish marbled calf cover, a golden vignettes-imprinted spine and russetish edges, the Confucian work was published in 1688 during the Age of Enlightenment. A few leaves into the book, a line of curly writing in old French reads: "To readers -- the book serves as the key or introduction to reading Confucius."

The early translations of Confucian teachings inspired French thinkers Montesquieu and Voltaire, Macron told Xi, who gently held the book with its cover flipped open. "It is a precious gift," Xi said. Later, it became a prized collection of the National Library of China.

During the 17th century, Europe witnessed the emergence of a trend known as Chinoiserie, which surged across the continent in the 18th century, fueled by increasing trade with China. Concurrently, French sinologists explored the study of Confucianism, the philosophical underpinning of traditional Chinese culture, and disseminated its ideas across Europe.

Observers have noted those cross-cultural exchanges. Gu Hongming, a well-known modern Chinese scholar, wrote: Only the French seem to understand the Chinese people and Chinese civilization best, as they have to a preeminent degree a quality of mind which, above all things, is necessary to understand the real Chinese people and the Chinese civilization.

For Xi, China and France can be "Zhiyin," or bosom friends, who can understand each other deeply owing to their abundant cultural richness.

During Macron's stay in China's southern metropolitan of Guangzhou in April last year, the two heads of state chatted over tea in the Pine Garden at the Guangdong provincial governor's residence, where Xi's father, Xi Zhongxun, had resided when he held the post in the 1980s at the start of China's reform and opening-up.

As the two leaders strolled through the garden, the enchanting strains of Qin, an ancient Chinese instrument, filled the air, weaving a captivating melody. Intrigued, Macron inquired about the name of the music. It was "High Mountains and Flowing Water," responded Xi, who then shared the well-known story behind the composition, the tale of Yu Boya and Zhong Ziqi.

As the ancient Chinese legend goes, Yu was an accomplished Qin player, while Zhong, his devoted listener, possessed the rare ability to grasp the emotions conveyed through Yu's music. When Zhong died, the grief-stricken Yu shattered his instrument and vowed never to play again since he lost his "Zhiyin," which literally means a very close friend who understands the other's music in the Chinese language.

"Only Zhiyin (bosom friends) can understand this music," Xi told Macron.