Article

The Spirit of Heqin: The Traditional Cultural Foundation of China’s “Closeness-Sincerity” Diplomatic Philosophy

By: Xingcheng Liu^*

The Research Center for Forging a Strong Sense of Community for the Chinese Nation, Ningxia Normal University, Guyuan, Ningxia, China.

^*Corresponding author

Received: 2026-01-17Accepted: 2026-06-16Published: 2026-10-10

J. Int. Eco. Glo. Gov. 2026, 3(3), 24-45; https://doi.org/10.58244/jiegg.263526

Abstract

At a time when unilateralism is spreading and global challenges are intensifying, China’s traditional spirit of Heqin, refined through the “Two Integrations,”has evolved into the new-era diplomatic philosophy of “Closeness-Sincerity” infusing international relations with Eastern wisdom. From ancient inter-ethnic kinship-based political practices—such as the Han-Xiongnu “Fraternal Heqin” and the Tang-Tibetan “nephew-uncle Heqin”—to contemporary diplomatic frameworks like “Genuine commitment, Real results, Closeness and Sincerity” and “Closeness, Sincerity, Mutual benefit, and Inclusiveness” a civilizational path of engagement characterized by emotional bonds, peaceful foundations, and win-win outcomes has endured for millennia. Core values embedded in the Heqin spirit—including “harmony as the highest good,” “inclusive coexistence,” “emotionally empowered relations,” and “one global family”—have undergone creative transformation to become the intellectual bedrock of Closeness-Sincerity diplomacy. General Secretary Xi Jinping’s advocacy—”treat each other like relatives, visiting often”—transcends traditional limitations and firmly embeds the ancient maxim “state-to-state relations thrive on people-to-people affinity” into diplomatic practice. Promoting the Heqin spirit and advancing “Closeness-Sincerity” diplomacy is pivotal for China to enhance its international discourse power, bridge civilizational divides, foster consensus on global governance, and provide enduring momentum toward building a community with a shared future for humanity—thereby highlighting the timeless value of peace and development.

Keywords: Heqin; Heqin spirit; Closeness-sincerity diplomatic philosophy; Major-cuntry diplomacy

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Funding

This research was jointly supported by the Special Task Project of Humanities and Social Sciences Research of the Ministry of Education of China entitled A Study on General Secretary Xi Jinping’s “Closeness-Sincerity” Diplomatic Philosophy from the Perspective of the “Two Integrations” (Grant No. 24JD710015), and the Ningxia Philosophy and Social Science Planning Project entitled A Study on Xi Jinping’s “Closeness-Sincerity” Diplomatic Philosophy from the Perspective of Fine Traditional Chinese Culture (Grant No. 23NXBGJ01).

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