At this point, Li Junming emphasized that throughout the great history of mankind, in the complex international relations, there are two major principles regarding the choice of allies:

The first principle is unity of values, which in this day and age manifests itself in religion and state institutions.

However, in the present historical conditions, there is an easy way to distinguish friend from foe for our practical needs, and that is to see how the other party does business with us.

In the final analysis, it is actually a question of attitude towards the market economy---- whether it is open and free, or closed and restricted.

And this is the most important thing for us, generally speaking, the forces that are willing to give us an open, free market, and have the spirit of contract are our true allies, otherwise they are not real allies.

In addition to the first principle mentioned above, there is, of course, the second principle, which is to align with immediate interests, note that this is only immediate, short-term.

Therefore, although on the surface, they are both business partners, the basis for the alignment of interests between the two parties is different.

For the former, such an alliance is almost sustainable if one of the parties does not change their values.

The latter is obviously temporary, short-term, or only in a certain area of convergence of interests, of course, in some cases, the importance of low-level alignment of interests may temporarily replace the higher-level alignment of interests, but it is clear that the resulting alliance between the two sides is not sustainable.

Because of the difference in values, the development of the relationship between the two sides will inevitably lead to a conflict of fundamental interests and eventually part ways---- which is a common fact in the history of human international relations for thousands of years.

Lawyer Li Junming also stressed that it is very important to examine the values of a trading partner, and although it is not completely certain whether it is a current hostile relationship, it is completely certain whether it is a true ally.

In a word, whoever is willing to open the market to us and treat us in the spirit of the contract will be the closer to our allies in values, that is, allies at a high level.

Such an alliance is in fact the most beneficial to both sides, and it has long-term and huge benefits.

Then Li Junming also gave the example of Boss Luo, before going to sea, Li Junming and Boss Luo had a deep talk, the latter once told him with his own experience of opening a machinery factory, a long-term win-win business partner must be a person with the same three views, lawyer Li said that Boss Luo, as the owner of the machinery factory, has done business with all kinds of people in the society, including gangsters in the underworld.

Boss Luo once said to Li Junming that he would definitely be able to do business with hooligans, as long as there was something to be earned, but he himself knew that this kind of business relationship was temporary and not sustainable, and he must not regard these people as business partners, let alone friends.

Finally, Mr. Li said, I hope you can understand the meaning of "high-level allies" when I speak.

As expected, Li Junming's point of view immediately sparked a heated discussion.

Of course, some people will question, for example, ** asks what to think of the famous quote of a famous politician in the old world: "There are only eternal interests, and there are no eternal friends." "This sentence?

Doesn't this just show that the so-called friends ---- the same values are illusory? Interests are eternal and tangible! So we should focus only on profits, and ignore those illusory values, right?

At this time, Zhu Beiguo interjected, he thought that Xiao Wei's words were fine, but it did not contradict Lawyer Li's point of view at all.

Seeing that everyone was stunned after hearing his statement, Zhu Beiguo immediately explained, because interests are of course eternal, we all live in the material world, but the phrase "there are no eternal friends" precisely refers to the fact that it is very difficult for both sides to be consistent in terms of values for a long time, but this is not to say that values are not important, let alone allies with consistent values are not important!

On the contrary, we do need to find like-minded forces as allies to achieve a long-term and stable community of interests.

In short, only allies with the same three views are real and long-term allies, only big business and long-term business can be done, and only the two sides can have a real long-term cause of mutual benefit, which is the real meaning behind the phrase "only eternal interests, no eternal friends".

So, ladies and gentlemen, reading books should not only look at the literal meaning, but also see the essence behind it literally.

Speaking of which, Zhu Beiguo asked:

"So, with all that I have just said, how can we concretely guide our future development and diplomatic strategy?"

Seeing that everyone did not respond to the questions he raised, Zhu Beiguo knew that his question just now was a bit big and inappropriate, so he further explained:

"Ladies and gentlemen, there is no doubt that our values determine where we will take ourselves and the Australian Federation we have built, and who are our allies and who are our enemies.

Well, let me sum it up in one sentence: on this planet, all those who are willing to open their markets to us, or to each other, and on the basis of mutual benefit, abide by the contract and treat the trade behavior of both sides in the spirit of the contract, are friends.

And the people and forces that do the opposite are our enemies, or potential enemies. ”

As soon as Zhu Beiguo's words came out, there was a lot of discussion in the venue, and the voices of favor and opposition were very loud, and many people shouted that Brother Zhu's judgment standard was clear at a glance, practical and operable, and it was indeed a good standard.

But those who oppose it also strongly refuted, Brother Zhu, isn't your standard too utilitarian! There is no lofty connotation of the word "values" that you just mentioned!

"Yes, this standard is to put it bluntly, it is only about business, not about right and wrong!"

Some people in the Huotang Club were very unimpressed by this, but those who supported Zhu Beiguo's statement also ridiculed each other:

"Who says you don't talk about right and wrong? Isn't freedom and equality and the spirit of contract not good and evil? ”

"Anyway, if you don't make it clear what doctrine is, it doesn't look good, and I always feel that Brother Zhu's standard is a pure businessman's standard......"

Apparently the group was not persuaded by the other side.

"Pull it down, let's talk less about this, we're all from here, these things have long been rotten on the street, and they're worthless!"

"Yes, how many people are there who are all isms in their mouths and business in their hearts......"

"The problem is that we are not ......"

"Who of you knows!"

"Do you think that if the Tartars are willing to do business with us, will we also consider them allies? It's ridiculous! ”

"If the Qing court is willing to open the market to us for mutual benefit, of course it is not an enemy......

At this time, Wei Dongli and the others immediately responded, and their tone was also very reasonable.

"Nest! Is that okay? Don't be naïve! How do you expect emperors and kings to have a free trade mentality? And the spirit of the contract? Speak of the spirit of contract to the people? Hehe, don't you think it's ridiculous? ”

"Ladies and gentlemen, on this point I agree with the Fire Pond Club, what is the basis of free trade and the spirit of contract? In the final analysis, it is based on the four words equality and freedom! The problem is that these four words are poison to the emperor, the king and the nobles! ”

"Yes, yes, yes! What people pursue is willfulness, and there must be natural resistance to these four words! ”

"In the final analysis, it is a conflict of values, so how can they be allies with us?"

"Therefore, on the surface, it is a conflict of values, but behind it is a conflict of fundamental interests......

"That's right, all the values that make them lose their privileges are poison!"

"So, those who share the same values are the real allies......"

"Huh? It seems that the problem has come full circle and returned! ”

"yes, so what were we arguing about?"

"It's boring......"

Zhu Beiguo waited helplessly for everyone to finish venting, then looked at the desktop, lowered his head and silently raised his hand to ask to continue speaking.

Seeing this scene, everyone couldn't help laughing, and said Brother Zhu, hurry up and say it, you have been talking more and more recently, and we are all a little unable to catch it, now I want to hear what you have to say, don't interrupt, wait for Brother Zhu to finish talking about it, okay?!