“Confucian philosophy provides benchmarks for international relations and the concept of governance. Many of his concepts are still relevant today,” Vitaly Fadeev, Senior Counselor at the Embassy of the Russian Federation in China, told CGTN.

As a guest, Fadeev said he was very happy to be invited to the 2022 China International Confucius Cultural Festival, the Eighth Nishan Forum on World Civilizations held in Qufu, which is the hometown of Confucius. “Through his great contributions to world civilization, he was also a counselor, so he means a lot to the whole world.” Fadeev also mentioned that Russians speak Chinese with a Shandong accent, “so maybe we're all closely connected to Shandong.”

Vitaly Fadeev has been living in China for over a decade. As a Senior Counselor of the Russian Embassy in China, he mainly focuses on bilateral relations, “In our international exchanges, we're committed to repaying good with good.” Fadeev quoted Confucius’s saying “One with good morality always has worthy company德不孤 必有邻,” as Russia and China, the world's two largest neighbors, live in harmony and maintain good neighborliness, partnership and friendship.

Fadeev shared his favorite quote from Confucius: “Do not impose on others what you yourself do not desire己所不欲 勿施于人." Fadeev said that just as Confucius often mentioned that a gentleman must be charitable to others if everyone considers the benefits of others and not only their own, this ensures great interpersonal communication. The same is true in international relations.