The progress of human civilization cannot be achieved with only one pathway, nor should there be only one model, said Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi during a press conference in Beijing.

Wang's remark came as he explained how China's ideology and system differ from other nations.

"Choice of system should be made in a tailor-made way, rather than through trimming the feet to fit in the shoes," Wang told reporters. "Whether a path works for a country depends on how it fits the country's conditions."

To smear or attack others for their different system or even claim superiority is in essence "hegemony of system," he added.

Many have expressed concerns on the possibility that China's competition with the U.S.-led Western world may leave the globe divided. But in Wang's eyes, that's not the right way to look at the situation.

"The COVID-19 pandemic... reminds us again that humanity is a community with a shared future," Wang explained. "Our world cannot afford to fall apart."

Instead of competing with each other, Wang recommended countries across the world to exchange with and learn from each other, saying "this is the way to drive common progress."

"In China, gentlemen seek harmony without uniformity," Wang said quoting an ancient Chinese proverb. "While in the West, respect is a quality of gentlemen."