Modern Chinese concept's ancient origins

"All people are my brothers and sisters, and all things are my companions" reflects typical Confucianism in China.

This idea was first put forward by Zhang Zai (1020-1077) of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), who held that people and things are all created by the vital force of heaven and earth, and thus have the same nature.

Zhang advocated love for all the people and things in the world, and his view transcended the old anthropocentric viewpoint and aimed to reach harmony among people as well as between humans and other creatures.