Distinguished Guests,

Dear Friends,

It is my great pleasure to join you at the 24th Washington Chinese Culture Festival, a popular annual celebration in the Greater Washington area.

On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I extend my warm congratulations on the Festival, my sincere thanks to the D.C. government for its strong support, and my deep appreciation to the Chinese community organizations, community members, and friends from all walks of life for making this event possible.

Since 1999, the Festival has become an annual tradition, growing more popular with each passing year. It has become a window into China for the American public and a bridge of friendship between our two peoples.

Today, the Pennsylvania Avenue offers a vivid glimpse of China. I invite you to slow down and discover a China that is rich in history, full of vitality, and open to the world.

Here, you can experience the depth and richness of a civilization spanning five thousand years. From oracle bone inscriptions to the Dunhuang murals; from the camel bells of the ancient Silk Road to the sails of Zheng He’s treasure fleets, Chinese civilization carries the spirit of a nation, the weight of history, and a long tradition of exchange between civilizations.

Centuries ago, Chinese silk, porcelain, and tea traveled across oceans and transformed everyday life far beyond China’s shores. Today, right here, you can try on “hanfu”, practice Chinese calligraphy, and enjoy Chinese tea. In doing so, you can experience Chinese culture right here in the United States.

Today, you can also feel the pulse of an innovative and dynamic China. For 11 consecutive years, China has ranked first globally in new energy vehicle production and sales. Its open-source and collaborative approach to artificial intelligence is helping expand access to new technologies. A trillion-yuan low-altitude economy is taking shape, while humanoid robot competitions present rapid advances in this field.

Chinese modernization is bringing fresh vitality to an ancient civilization—and fresh energy to cultural creativity. LABUBU made an appearance at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Chinese animated film All Wishes Come True was well received at its North American premiere, while Chinese short-form dramas are finding audiences around the world.

I hope today’s hands-on experiences will spark curiosity, inspire new ideas, and encourage mutual learning as we write a new chapter in China-U.S. cultural exchange.

Today, you can also experience a China that is open, confident, and welcoming. China now offers unilateral visa-free entry to citizens of 50 countries, and 240-hour visa-free transit to travelers from 57 countries, including the United States. A spontaneous trip to China is becoming a reality.

In the first half of this year, China welcomed 22.9 million foreign visitors, up 20.4 percent year on year, with nearly 78 percent of them entered visa-free. This past summer, “China Cool” emerged as a new global travel buzzword. Many foreign visitors came to see famous sights, and step into everyday life—to eat where locals eat, wander through neighborhoods, and live, even for a few days, like locals themselves.

As China opens up wider, it is making more friends around the world. We hope many more Americans will visit China, experience the country firsthand, share what you see and experience with others and bring our two peoples closer.

Guests and Friends,

This is a significant year for China-U.S. relations. In May, President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump held a historic and landmark meeting in Beijing, where they agreed to build a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability. Their meeting set a clear direction forward.

As President Xi has said, the hope of China-U.S. relations lies in the people, the foundation in our societies, the future in the youth, and the vitality at the local level. His initiative to invite 50,000 young Americans to China in five years reached the target two and a half years ahead of schedule. Young people on both sides are becoming a stronger force for friendship between our two countries.

More recently, the reunion of American teacher Ronald Sakolsky and Yin Yuzhen, known for her heroic efforts to combat desertification, touched people across social media. Their story reminds us that when Chinese and Americans work together, we can make the world a better place.

Let us build more bridges for people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and strengthen the public foundation for a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability.

In conclusion, I wish the 24th Washington Chinese Culture Festival every success. Please enjoy the food, the performances, and the cultural experiences. I hope many of you will one day visit China — and turn today’s glimpse into a lasting connection of your own.

Thank you.