"Boundless is the ocean where we sail with the wind." Like a vast ocean, the Asia-Pacific region offers enough space for us to make progress together.

— Speech given by Xi Jinping at the APEC CEO Summit on October 7, 2013

Boundless Is the Ocean Where We Sail with the Wind

— There is enough space for the common development

of all partners in the Asia-Pacific region

"Towards Resilience and Growth," the theme of the 2013 APEC CEO Summit, called on APEC economies to focus on global business and to commit to inclusive and sustainable growth on the road to economic recovery. In his keynote speech at the summit entitled "Deepen Reform and Opening up to Build a Better Asia-Pacific," Xi Jinping described the glorious future he envisaged for the region with the verse: "Boundless is the ocean where we sail with the wind." It epitomized the atmosphere inspired by the venue and held far-reaching significance. 

The quotation is the opening line from the poem Farewell to a Korean Hermit Returning Home, written by the Tang Dynasty (618-907) monk-poet Shang Yan (dates unknown), who lived in Jingmen, Hubei Province. The poem in full reads:

Boundless is the ocean where we sail with the wind.

Misty crags mark half the journey and familiar woods remind us of home.

In the distance, the heavens emerge from calm waters and sandy beaches stretch as far as the eye can see.

Friendship seeks refuge in the rosy glow breaking in the East.

In the first line, the poet wishes his friend a pleasant journey sailing in the vast expanse of the open sea. In the next two lines, the poet paints a picture of the view his friend will soon enjoy from the ship. In the last line, the poet laments the distance that will separate him from his friend.

Farewell poems such as this were common in ancient China. Shang Yan's gift of poetry upon seeing off his Korean friend, Hermit Park, is a reflection of the relations between China and APEC member economies. Indeed, the poem is about the deep friendship between individuals, but it also applies to the friendly relations that China has nurtured with friendly neighboring countries since ancient times.

Gazing northeast from the Island of Bali in the Indian Ocean, far off in the distance, are the vast blue waters of the Pacific. Delivering his speech in Bali, Xi Jinping seemed inspired by his vantage point to quote Shang Yan's poetry. When sailing on the open sea, we let our vision expand as we find our bearings, search for navigational markers, and judge the wind. Then, we are prepared to hoist sails for a smooth, swift journey to our destination. When setting out on the path of development, APEC members should also be prepared to accommodate a broader view as we navigate toward our goal of coordination and positive engagement. We are in the same boat. Let us hoist sails and begin our journey together.

Bali has long been witness to economic and cultural exchanges between Chinese and other nationalities. When the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) navigator Zheng He (1371-1433) sailed the South Seas, which were known as the Western Oceans at the time, he brought exquisite craftsmanship and promoted prosperity on the island. Indeed, evidence of the various ways his voyages influenced Bali can still be seen today. The expeditions he led 600 years ago encouraged trade and development between China and foreign lands, and strengthened economic ties with countries that bordered the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Pursuing a foreign policy of shared peace, Zheng He helped China develop friendly relations with countries in Asia and Africa. It is significant that Xi Jinping chose to recite the line "Boundless is the ocean where we sail with the wind" when discussing the future development of the Asia-Pacific region. In the "boundless" world of economic environment, partners in the Asia-Pacific should "sail with the wind" and work together to create a region that leads the world, favors all parties, and benefits future generations. This is the vision that Xi Jinping proposed for the region and the glorious future that is within the grasp of all countries in the Asia-Pacific.

(An excerpt from XI JINPING: WIT AND VISION SELECTED QUOTATIONS AND COMMENTARY, published by FOREIGN LANGUAGES PRESS in 2015)