Master, at today's press conference, Foreign Minister Wang Yi used the phrase 'steady as a mountain despite wind and rain' to describe China-Russia relations. I feel that phrase is more than just diplomatic rhetoric.

Of course it is. In Du Fu's original poem, there is a sense of concern and hardship. Here, the focus is on the 'wind and rain' and the 'unmoving': the more turbulent the external situation becomes, the more important it is to demonstrate resilience in the relationship.

But with the Russia-Ukraine conflict, sanctions, and bloc confrontation still ongoing, doesn't this kind of 'stability' also come with significant real-world pressure?

Precisely because there is pressure, stability carries weight. Between China and Russia, there are practical needs such as energy and trade, as well as strategic considerations involving coordination in multilateral settings.

So it's not simply about the two countries standing together, but about finding sustainable points of support within their respective circumstances?

Well said. True stability is not rigid immobility. A mountain has firm foundations, yet its forests grow and change with the seasons. Areas of cooperation can also expand from traditional energy into new fields such as the digital economy and green technology.

When I used to read this kind of news, I was often carried along by the slogans. Now I see that the key is to distinguish between poetic expression, strategic judgment, and concrete interests.

That is exactly the skill needed for reading current affairs: listen to what is said, but also observe the broader trends. Come, find that poem by Du Fu, and we'll move from its central image to international politics.

All right, I'll make some tea. It seems today's lesson will take us all the way from Du Fu's thatched cottage to Moscow.