PLA Daily 2005-03-10

　　Shaping up a harmonious society has long been the glorious aspiration of the mankind. One major trait of the Chinese traditional culture lies in paying great attention to harmony. Such sayings as “peace is the best option”, “logical administration and harmonious people” and “if the family lives in harmony, all affairs will prosper” embody the traditional ideal and humanism spirit.

　　For a country, a nation or an army, there is a question of “people of all ranks sharing the same purpose”. Great strategist Sun Tzu said, “The side which has unity of purpose among its officers and men will win”. “Unity of purpose” spells common interest, common objective and unity of will, in other words, it is another realm of harmony. In the cause of building socialism with Chinese characteristics, the fundamental interest of the nation is the same and all the specific interest can be coordinated on this basis. Provided the harmony among people, between human and nature and between human and society is realized, we will achieve new victories in building a well-off society in an all-round way. As a people's army and the great wall of steel responsible for defending the motherland, the PLA especially needs “unity of purpose” and harmony between officers and men, between the army and the government and between the army and the civilian. It is likewise a necessary condition for promoting military changes with Chinese characteristics, and for carrying out the lofty mission of the army in the new phase of the new century.

　　It goes without saying that there are also contradictions, conflicts and differences in a “harmonious society”. Just as the ancient people said, “ All things have both cloudy and sunny days, the channeling of different energies is for the purpose of harmony” and “A gentleman gets along with others, but does not necessarily agree with them; while evil people are the same but they do not get along with each other”. The process of building a harmonious society is a process of resolving contradictions, smoothing out conflicts and solving differences. It is also a process of building material civilization, political civilization and spiritual civilization of socialism. Harmonious melody can certainly produce a piece of beautiful music; and a harmonious society certainly can bring about a good situation with logical administration and harmonious people and a contended people living in a peaceful and prosperous country.

　　By Chen Guangzhao

　　(Mar. 9, PLA Daily)