With Chinese start-up DeepSeek and its artificial intelligence (AI) model shaking up the global tech sector, China’s top diplomat appeared to seize the chance to promote the chatbot at the high-profile Munich Security Conference.
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Immediately after his address to the forum on Friday, Foreign Minister Wang Yi quoted some ancient Chinese sayings as he talked about US-China relations with the conference chairman, German diplomat Christoph Heusgen.
The proverbs were not easy to translate, Wang said, suggesting with a smile that the audience “turn to DeepSeek for some help”.
He also emphasised China’s resolve to uphold its sovereignty, national dignity and legitimate development rights.
To illustrate his point, Wang quoted from the ancient Chinese classic I Ching, or Book of Changes. “Just as the heaven moves forward vigorously, a man of virtue should constantly strive to strengthen himself,” he said, alluding to China’s similar determination to become better and stronger.
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He also quoted from celebrated late novelist Jin Yong’s The Heaven Sword and Dragon Sabre, published in the 1960s, to reflect the Chinese philosophical thinking of overcoming rigidity with softness and following nature.
The sentence Wang cited may be translated as: “Let the strong do as they will; we remain as unperturbed as the gentle breeze caresses the hills. Let the fears act as they will; we keep our composure as the bright moon illuminates the river.”