International friendship (guó jì yǒu yì) is a formal noun referring to friendly relations between nations or peoples of different countries. The term combines four characters: 国 (guó, 'country' or 'nation'), 际 (jì, 'between' or 'inter-'), 友 (yǒu, 'friend'), and 谊 (yì, 'friendship' or 'bond'). Together, they literally mean 'friendship between nations' — emphasizing mutual respect, cooperation, and goodwill across borders. It is commonly used in diplomatic, cultural, and educational contexts, such as international exchange programs, sister-city agreements, or peace initiatives.

This phrase carries a positive, official tone and appears frequently in news reports, government statements, and academic discussions about global cooperation. Unlike casual terms like 朋友 (péng you, 'friend'), 国际友谊 implies structured, institutionalized relationships — often fostered through treaties, joint projects, or people-to-people exchanges. It reflects China’s emphasis on peaceful coexistence and win-win development in foreign policy discourse.