Without the trust of the people, the government will not be stable. Chinese people have since antiquity put high value on “trust” (good faith). Confucius（551-479 BC） applied it to the relationship between officials and the people and saw it as a crucial factor in the stability of the state. What this means is that the government or the ruler should be honest in dealing with the people, not acting recklessly with force or power, so that the people will trust the authorities and act in good faith in regard to them. This is the solid basis and guarantee of state power. It is also an extension of the notion of “people are the foundation of the state.”

Zigong asked about what was needed in governance. Confucius said, “Enough food, enough weapons and people's trust of the ruler.” Zigong said, “If you had no choice but to forgo one thing, which of those three should be first?” Confucius said, “Forgo weapons.” Zigong said, “If you had no choice but to forgo one thing, which of those two should be first?” Confucius said, “Forgo food. Since ancient times there has always been death, but if the people have no trust, the state does not survive.” (The Analects)