At "Understanding China Conference" 2021 held in Guangzhou from December 1 to 4,  American scholar John Milligan-Whyte says that the Communist Party of China is like the guardians in the ideal state described in Plato's Republic. He said the party cares about the well-being of the people and guards their happiness. Milligan-Whyte said Xi Jinping's thought embodies the core values of Plato's ideal state.