The friendship between men of virtue is as pure as water.

This is from Zhuang Zi (The Book of Zhuang Zi), a collection of the works by Zhuang Zi (c. 369-286 BC), also known as Zhuang Zhou, a writer and major Daoist philosopher of the Warring States Period. It means that men of virtue build their relationship on justice, and they only maintain ties with people who cherish the same ideals. Such relationships are as pure as clear water, and are based on deep affection and strong loyalty among those who cherish them. In contrast, shallow people often associate with one another for private gain, and their relationships look close but break apart quickly once the proceeds have been split.

Pure relationships of like-minded people have been treasured in China since ancient times, as the nation values friendship based on justice and disapproves of shallow relationships built on the pursuit of private gain.

When joining the deputies from Jiangsu Province to the First Session of the 12th National People's Congress (NPC) in March 2013, Xi Jinping said: Power is surrounded by too many temptations and snares. In dealing with material interests, the officials must treat the business people cordially, but not collude with them, and they must make a clear distinction between public and private interests.

君子之交淡如水

“君子之交淡如水”出自《莊子》，意為君子之間的交情建立在道義基礎之上，高雅純凈，清淡如水。君子之間的交往，與“小人之交”相對。“君子”是品德高尚的人，他們之間的交往是因為志同道合，看似平淡如水，實則情深義重；“小人”是品德低下的人，他們之間的交往是為了謀取私利，看似表面親密，實則利盡義絕。“君子之交”自古為中國人所崇尚，其中蘊含著重道義、輕私利，褒君子、貶小人的價值觀念。

2013年3月，習近平在參加十二屆全國人大一次會議江蘇代表團審議時強調，現在的社會，誘惑太多，圍繞權力的陷阱太多。面對紛繁的物質利益，要做到君子之交淡如水，“官”“商”交往要有道，相敬如賓，而不要勾肩搭背、不分彼此，要劃出公私分明的界限。