On April 26, 2024, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng attended the Experience Chinese Fashion and Arts event co-hosted by the Chinese Embassy in the United States and the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide and delivered remarks.

Ambassador Xie said that qipao is one of a kind. Known for its exquisite traditional craftsmanship, qipao has been listed as a national-level intangible cultural heritage in China. With its iconic style and aesthetic and cultural value, qipao fully embodies the grace and confidence of Chinese women. Qipao is both traditional and modern. It has evolved from Qing Dynasty court attire into everyday clothing, serving as a testimony to how girls and women of the new era break free from convention and embrace independence. Qipao is both of China and of the world. Known as a national treasure, it is the quintessence of Chinese elegance, and has also gained global appeal by integrating Eastern and Western elements.

Ambassador Xie pointed out that attire is a window to understand China. The Chinese civilization has run uninterrupted for thousands of years, exploring new ground through reform and innovation, and gaining fresh vigor through drawing on other cultures. Over 2,100 years ago, Zhang Qian, a Han Dynasty envoy, made a journey westward, building bridges of exchanges between Eastern and Western cultures. In the Tang Dynasty, China exchanged envoys with over 70 countries, and its capital Chang’an bustled with people from around the world. From the introduction of Buddhism and Western learning, to all-round opening-up since 1978, Chinese civilization has both retained its uniqueness and kept contributing to human civilization, and enriched itself through interactions and mutual learning with other cultures. China today is opening its arms wider to embrace the world, and creating a better world with a more dynamic civilization.