BOAO, China, March 28 -- Nations differ in a wide spectrum of aspects, but they share a common aspiration for win-win cooperation, Chinese President Xi Jinping noted Saturday.

In his keynote speech at the annual conference of the Boao Forum for Asia, Xi cited a series of proverbs from different nations to accentuate that people from across the world all have a ready interest in mutually beneficial collaboration.

The sayings he mentioned include:

Southeast Asia: The lotus flowers grow taller as the water rises.

Africa: If you want to go fast, walk alone; and if you want to go far, walk together.

Europe: A single tree cannot block the chilly wind.

China: When big rivers have water, the small ones are filled; and when small rivers have water, the big ones are filled.

"All these sayings speak to one same truth, that is, only through win-win cooperation can we make big and sustainable achievements that are beneficial to all," he said.