The book's key message “is that every effort should be made to prevent a war and great caution must be exercised when it comes to fighting a war,“ Xi said when delivering a keynote speech in the UN Office at Geneva in 2017.

　　Xi's view on prudence in warfare is also reflected in his exchanges with foreign leaders and officials.

　　“It has long been known that the real experts on military affairs do not want to employ military means to solve issues,“ he quoted a Chinese aphorism when meeting with then US Secretary of Defense James Mattis in Beijing in 2018.

　　President Xi Jinping straightens the ribbon on a flower basket during a ceremony to present flower baskets to fallen heroes at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing, Sept 30, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

　　A clear manifestation of Xi's reflection is to cherish history and honor heroes. “A nation of hope cannot be without heroes,“ Xi once said. Every year since 2014, Xi has paid tribute to China's fallen heroes on Martyrs' Day, which falls on Sept 30, a day ahead of the country's National Day.

　　In 2015, when China celebrated the 70th anniversary of its victory in World War II, Xi presented medals to Chinese veterans and representatives from Russia and other countries who assisted Chinese soldiers on the battlefields.

　　Nikolai Chuikov, the grandson of Soviet General Marshal Vasily Chuikov, was among those who received a peace medal from Xi. “Of all the honors I have won, I hold the highest regard for the peace medal,“ he said.

　　President Xi Jinping (R, front) shakes hands with a Russian veteran in Moscow, Russia, on May 8, 2015. [Photo/Xinhua]