Open Letter to Xi Jinping

March 1, 2026 Open Letters No Comments

In a time of rapid global change, questions of strength, stability, and harmony take on new depth.

This letter – written by a Westerner, me – is written in a spirit of respect, not to advise but to reflect on something that may already be present. It looks at how inner depth, Compassion, and cultural wisdom may quietly shape the future. In this, China’s long tradition offers something of profound relevance—not only for itself, but for the world.

Dear Mr. President,

China stands as a civilization with a long memory. Over the centuries, it has cultivated ways of thinking and living that place harmony, balance, and human development at the center. These are not abstract ideals but lived orientations, carried through generations in subtle ways.

In times of rapid transformation, such continuity may become even more important. What has grown over centuries does not disappear in a few decades. Rather, it may find new forms. This is not so much a tension between past and future, but a quiet unfolding. Something deeply rooted may ask to become more visible again.

China’s path in times of transformation

China today moves at remarkable speed. With this comes a kind of pressure that is not always visible from the outside. In such a context, it is natural that attention goes to what can be measured, built, and coordinated. Yet what is less visible – inner balance, the quality of human experience, the subtle cohesion between people – may require at least as much care.

This is like a question that quietly arises: how can what grows outward remain supported from within?

Harmony is more than structure

Harmony has long been a central value within Chinese thought. It is often expressed in social terms: stability, order, coordination. These are important, especially at scale.

At the same time, harmony may be seen as something that grows from within the person. Confucianism shows that the cultivation of virtue is not primarily about following rules, but about becoming someone from whom right action flows naturally. This inside-out movement gives structure a living basis.

When harmony is only external, it can become rigid. When it is lived internally, it tends to remain flexible, even under pressure. Perhaps both aspects belong together, each supporting the other.

Compassion as an inner foundation

A word that may resonate here is Compassion. Not in a superficial sense, but as something deeper, something that involves the whole person.

Compassionate Confucianism describes this as more than empathy ― recognizing a shared human depth. From there, responses arise that are both strong and attuned.

This kind of Compassion does not weaken the structure. On the contrary, it may strengthen it. Decisions made from such a basis tend to be more sustainable, less reactive, and more widely understood, even when they are firm.

A living flow beneath action

There are ways of acting that do not rely on force. In Wu Wei in Leadership, this is described as action that arises from alignment rather than from pressure.

One might think of it simply as acting in tune with a situation, rather than against it. The result can be effective without being harsh, decisive without being reactive. It is not the absence of action, but a different quality of action.

In times of complexity, this may offer a form of resilience. When everything moves quickly, not everything needs to be pushed. Some things unfold more naturally when space is present.

Seeming opposites as parts of a whole

At times, forces may appear to stand in opposition. Strength and softness, stability and change, individuality and collectivity. It can be tempting to choose one over the other.

Yet in Yin – Yang – YinYang, a different view appears. What seems opposed may, at a deeper level, belong together. Each side contains something of the other, and their interaction creates movement.

Seen this way, balance is not static. It is something that lives and evolves. Tension does not need to disappear; it may become part of a broader harmony.

A shared human depth across cultures

Across cultures, people may differ in language, habits, and forms. Yet at a certain depth, recognition becomes easier. The more one looks beyond surfaces, the more something shared may appear. In Compassion Connecting East & West, this is expressed as the idea that the deeper the level, the greater the recognition.

This does not erase differences. It allows them to coexist without becoming barriers. Perhaps this is relevant in a world where connections grow ever closer, while misunderstandings can also increase.

Scientific resonance

From a different angle, modern science offers a similar perspective. Ancient Eastern Wisdom and Mental-Neuronal Patterns describes the mind as a dynamic interplay of patterns rather than a fixed entity. These patterns shape perception, emotion, and behavior. They change over time, not by force, but through gradual reconfiguration. What is learned deeply becomes more stable; what is neglected may fade.

This view aligns naturally with many traditional insights. It suggests that lasting change happens from within, through processes that cannot be fully controlled from the outside.

Inner change as the basis of societal stability

If individuals are shaped by such inner patterns, then societies – being composed of individuals – may also depend on them. Stability is not only a matter of systems and policies, but also of how people experience and respond to their world.

From Compassionate A.I. to Social Harmony makes the connection between individual development and collective harmony. When people find inner balance, their interactions tend to reflect this.

This is not a quick process. It unfolds gradually, often quietly. Yet its effects may be far-reaching, supporting structures from a deeper level.

Leadership under pressure

Leadership at the level of a major nation carries immense responsibility. Decisions have a wide impact, and the pressure to act can be constant. Under such conditions, it is understandable that clarity may sometimes narrow. Urgency can push toward quick responses. At the same time, there may be value in a different kind of clarity — one that arises from a certain inner space.

One might think of this as a moment of stepping back, not to delay action, but to let it arise from a broader perspective. In that space, decisions may become both firm and less reactive.

A future of harmony in a connected world

The world is becoming increasingly interconnected. Actions in one place resonate in others, often in unexpected ways. This creates both opportunities and challenges.

China and the West Toward One Future suggests that a deeper understanding can reduce unnecessary tension. Not by removing differences, but by seeing them within a larger whole. Harmony at this level would not mean uniformity. It would mean coherence — a way for diversity to exist without leading to fragmentation.

Closing: An invitation, not a conclusion

Mr. President, this letter does not aim to present something new. Rather, it reflects on what may already be present in different forms: in tradition, in human experience, and even in modern science.

Please see this as an invitation — not to change direction, but perhaps to look again with fresh eyes. Sometimes, what is most needed is rediscovered.

―

Addendum

[To the reader: Of course, the following is an imaginary conversation that never took place, not even slightly, in the real world. Xi’s questions come from me. Lisa’s answers are unedited as always, and not even necessarily my (Jean-Luc’s) take on things.]

Me: “Lisa, I would like to introduce you to President Xi, who may have a few questions for you. Are you ready to give him some interesting answers?”

Lisa: “