In the 1980s, when some Western ideologues asserted that “Asia would never surpass the West,” the so-called Four Asian Tigers—South Korea, Taiwan of China, Singapore, and Hong Kong, China—achieved an extraordinary transformation from poverty to prosperity within just three decades. Over the same period, China completed an industrialization process in a few decades that had taken developed countries centuries to accomplish. Leaping from extreme poverty to become the world’s second-largest economy, China created what has been widely described as the “Chinese miracle,” characterized by rapid economic growth and long-term social stability.
In today’s era of intellectual reassessment, as Western models repeatedly encounter crises, Asian societies have drawn upon the wisdom of “harmony in diversity” to address global challenges such as climate change and economic turbulence. Behind this resilience lies a profound “spiritual asset”: Asian values.
In April 2025, at a meeting of the central leadership of ruling parties from neighboring countries, Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized that the Asian values of peace, cooperation, openness, and inclusiveness serve as vital guiding principles for China’s relations with its neighbors. Against this backdrop, it is worth exploring how Asian values were formed and how they continue to shape a shared future.
The origins of Asian values are deeply rooted in the accumulated wisdom of Chinese civilization. Confucianism’s principle of “seeking harmony without uniformity” underscores peaceful coexistence amid differences; Taoism’s concept of the “unity of heaven and humanity” advocates balance between humankind and nature; and Mohism’s emphasis on “universal love and non-aggression” promotes the peaceful resolution of disputes. Through the ancient Silk Road, these ideas interacted with Indian and Islamic civilizations, jointly shaping the foundations of Asian values—respect for diversity, a commitment to peace, and the continuous evolution of shared principles.
In the modern era, Asian nations emerged from the trauma of colonialism. After World War II, national independence movements further strengthened a collective pursuit of equality and resistance to hegemony. Guided by the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and by prioritizing development through cooperative efforts, Asian countries forged the “Asian miracle,” which has since become a key engine of global growth. Singapore’s multi-ethnic governance model, Malaysia’s policies of ethnic harmony, and Viet Nam’s reform and opening-up all exemplify the practical application of Asian values in contemporary governance.
Julio Ríos, Director of the Galician Institute of International Relations and a renowned Spanish sinologist, once observed that the philosophical thinking embedded in Chinese civilization, when applied to national governance and international relations, manifests as harmony, order, balance, and moral responsibility—standing in stark contrast to the West’s conflict-driven, competitive, and zero-sum mentality.
Throughout history, Asian countries have offered the world diverse approaches to governance and development through their unique wisdom. At the heart of these approaches lies the spiritual support and practical guidance provided by Asian values. These values emphasize that peace is the foundation of development; cooperation is the only path to mutual benefit and win-win outcomes; openness inspires innovation and prosperity; and inclusiveness respects the diversity of civilizations. Through its dynamic development, Asia has demonstrated the potential to build a peaceful, stable, and multipolar international order.
In sharp contrast stands the so-called “Trump Monroe Doctrine,” a term used to describe the Trump administration’s unilateral and interventionist policies. This doctrine treats the Americas as a traditional sphere of influence for the United States and seeks to expand control through military pressure, economic coercion, and restrictive immigration measures.
An article titled “Can Chinese Wisdom Govern the World?” published on the Spanish website China Policy Observer notes that several key Chinese concepts merit serious consideration by the West: respect for sovereignty and non-interference in internal affairs as principles for maintaining world peace; recognition of all countries’ universal right to pursue development; exploration of development paths through pragmatic and inclusive approaches; and an emphasis on balancing development with fairness and justice.
The core ideas highlighted in this discussion—peace, cooperation, openness, and tolerance—constitute the fundamental pillars of Asian values. China’s transformation from poverty and weakness to the world’s second-largest economy powerfully demonstrates the vitality of Asian values as a form of “spiritual capital.”
Asian values prioritize development through internal cooperation rather than reliance on external hegemony. China has actively promoted regional cooperation platforms, supported the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the New Development Bank of the BRICS countries, deepened alignment between the Belt and Road Initiative and regional development strategies, and driven trade growth and industrial development across neighboring countries. Within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, China and member states have joined forces to combat terrorism, separatism, and extremism. Under the China–Central Asia cooperation mechanism, economic and trade collaboration has steadily expanded, alongside deeper exchanges across multiple fields. Together, these initiatives have created a virtuous cycle in which “China’s development benefits the region.”
Rather than embracing confrontation along ideological lines, Asian values focus on mutual benefit and win-win cooperation. China has consistently upheld multilateralism and free trade while integrating into globalization with an open and inclusive mindset. Instead of pursuing military intervention in other countries to ensure its own security, Asian values seek to build regional development on the foundation of common security. China has always adhered to a path of peaceful development.
Asian values also recognize the uniqueness of different civilizations. Rather than unifying regions or the world under a single civilizational standard, they advocate seeking consensus amid differences. China remains committed to transcending civilizational barriers through dialogue and overcoming civilizational clashes through mutual learning. Through platforms such as the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations and the Silk Road International Theatre Alliance, China has promoted deep exchanges among Asian countries in the fields of art, literature, philosophy, and beyond.
The Asian values articulated by President Xi Jinping are deeply rooted in the traditions of Chinese civilization, embody the shared pursuit of common values among Asian nations, and reflect the collective aspiration of Asian peoples for a better life. There is every reason to believe that, guided by peaceful, cooperative, open, and inclusive Asian values, as more countries move closer together, Asia will not only achieve its own peaceful development but also help lead humanity toward a more promising future.
Source: Ruby-Hashim-Labanya, China Media Group.