Originates from the
管子 (Guǎnzǐ), the classical text attributed to Guan Zhong: '
夫霸王之所始也,
以人为本' ('the foundation of a hegemon's rule begins with putting the people first'). In modern China, it became a key slogan of Hu Jintao's 'Scientific Outlook on Development' (
科学发展观) era after 2003.
