qiú求seektóng同commoncún存preserveyì异differences
Seek common ground while reserving differences; agree to disagree.
Literal meaning
seek (求) — common (同) — preserve (存) — differences (异)
Origin
A classical four-character phrase emphasizing the importance of finding commonalities despite differences.
Examples
Zài在guó国jì际hé合zuò作zhōng中，wǒ我men们yīng应gāi该qiú求tóng同cún存yì异，gòng共tóng同fā发zhǎn展。
In international cooperation, we should seek common ground while reserving differences, and develop together.
Jí即shǐ使guān观diǎn点bù不tóng同，wǒ我men们yě也kě可yǐ以qiú求tóng同cún存yì异，hù互xiāng相zūn尊zhòng重。
Even if we have different viewpoints, we can still seek common ground while reserving differences, and respect each other.
Usage & nuances
Often used in political or diplomatic contexts.
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