On February 22, 2024, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng and his wife Madame Wang Dan visited the Smithsonian Institution and met with Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III. Minister Counselor for Culture at the Chinese Embassy Chen Chunmei, Under Secretary for Science and Research at the Smithsonian Institution Ellen Stofan, Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art Chase Robinson and Director of the Smithsonian’s National Zoo Brandie Smith attended the meeting. The two sides exchanged views on China-U.S. cultural and museum exchanges and cooperation, partnership in co-hosting the “Happy Chinese New Year” celebrations, and giant panda conservation cooperation.

Recognizing the practical cooperation between the Smithsonian Institution and China over the years, Ambassador Xie said that such cooperation has not only enhanced mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples, but also contributed to the healthy and stable development of bilateral relations. Secretary Bunch expressed the readiness of the institution to continue working with China to deepen mutual understanding between the two peoples through culture and art, so as to strengthen popular support for China-U.S. relations, and jointly promote global peace and sustainable development.

After the meeting, Ambassador Xie Feng visited the special exhibition “Anyang: China’s Ancient City of Kings” at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art. Featuring over 200 artifacts from the museum’s collection (including jade ornaments, bronze vessels, etc.), the exhibition showcased the wonders of Anyang, the birthplace of Chinese archaeology.

Established in 1846, The Smithsonian Institution oversees 21 museums, 21 libraries, the National Zoo, numerous research centers, and several education units and centers. Its institutions receive 30 million visits annually, making it the world’s largest museum complex.

In 2014, China participated in the 48th Smithsonian Folklife Festival as the guest of honor. In 2019, the Palace Museum collaborated with the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art to present the special exhibition “Empresses of China’s Forbidden City, 1644–1912". Since 2014, China has partnered with the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art to co-host the “Happy Chinese New Year” celebrations for years.