Whether delivering speeches or publishing articles in foreign newspapers during his overseas trips, President Xi Jinping always expresses himself eloquently by employing local sayings, proverbs and dictums, or referring to movies and TV shows.
Let's review some of the foreign proverbs and sayings quoted in Xi's articles and speeches.
President Xi Jinping (C) meets with members of a Lao family with a time-honored friendship with China, urging the young generations to carry the torch forward in Vientiane, Laos, Nov 14, 2017. [Photo/Xinhua]
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.
—Signed article published in Lao media, Nov 13, 2017
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.
—Signed article published in Lao media, Nov 13, 2017
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.
-Speech at G20 Hamburg Summit, July 7, 2017
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!
-Speech at the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, May 14, 2017