JAKARTA - Chinese President Xi Jinping explained the meaning of "round sky and square earth" to US President Donald Trump during a visit to the Temple of Heaven in Beijing.
"In 2017, we visited the Forbidden City by following the Central Axis of Beijing. The Heaven Temple visited today is the same age as the Forbidden City, contains the meaning of 'round sky and square earth', and displays the Chinese people's view of the universe and their philosophy of life," said President Xi as quoted by ANTARA from the website of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in Beijing, Thursday.
The two were at the Temple of Heaven after completing a two-hour and 15-minute discussion that Chinese state media said contained discussions on Taiwan, economic relations and other geopolitical issues at the Great Hall of the People.
The location of the Temple of Heaven itself is about four kilometers south of the Great Hall of the People, which is west of Tiananmen Square.
Along with Tiananmen and the Forbidden City, the Temple of Heaven is part of Beijing's Central Axis, the capital's main tourist area.
Xi and Trump also entered the main building of the Temple of Heaven, the circular (symbol of the sky) Qinian Hall (Hall of Prayer for Good Harverst), the square-shaped outer courtyard and fence (symbol of the earth), all structures were made without iron nails, purely Chinese traditional wooden joining techniques, and a three-story building, symbolizing the relationship between heaven, man, and earth.
The idea contained in the arrangement of buildings is the harmony of all creatures as well as the principle of following the will of heaven and adapting to time.
"The ancient Chinese rulers held a sacrifice ceremony at the Temple of Heaven to pray for a peaceful country and a peaceful people, as well as for good weather and abundant harvests," added President Xi.
This reflects China's traditional thinking that the people are the foundation of the state, and if the foundation is solid, the state will be peaceful.
The Chinese Communist Party, according to the statement, is written as inheriting and developing the thought of a people-oriented Chinese civilization, always adhering to the fundamental goal of serving the people wholeheartedly, and obtaining the firm support and sincere support of the people.
President Trump then stated that his visit to the Forbidden City in 2017 was still very memorable to this day.
"The Temple of Heaven has stood tall and proud for more than 600 years, showcasing the beautiful art of classical Chinese architecture and its vast and profound traditional culture, so it is amazing," Trump said.
The United States and China, Trump said, are both big countries, and the people of the two countries are also big and wise people. The two countries should deepen mutual understanding and increase people-to-people friendship.
The Secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Cai Qi, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, and Beijing City CPC Secretary Yin Li also accompanied the visit to the Temple of Heaven.
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