On July 27, 2023, the Chinese Embassy in the United States, in partnership with the local organization “Things to Do DC”, hosted the“Evening at the Chinese Embassy”cultural event. More than 200 guests from local communities were invited to experience traditional Chinese culture, watch cultural performances and taste Chinese delicacies.

Minister Xu Xueyuan, in her remarks, emphasized that the Chinese civilization, lasting for millennia, has a rich heritage and myriad attractions. She noted that the Chinese culture prizes peace and affinity. Harmony is a core value in China’s cultural tradition, and has been deeply cherished in the Chinese civilization for thousands of years.

Xu said that the Chinese pursue a harmonious social relationship. She quoted Confucius, “Gentlemen pursue harmony without uniformity.” This line of thinking explains why Chinese people advocate seeking common ground and allowing for differences in daily lives. Xu said that the Chinese seek a harmonious relationship between man and nature. “People’s well-being must come first” and “all creatures are equal”, these ideas are translated into China’s efforts to protect ecological environment and pursue sustainable development. Xu went on to say that the Chinese value a harmonious international relationship. The Chinese culture has all along valued peace and harmony among nations and countries. This is crystallized into China’s foreign policy line that advocates all countries, big or small, are equal members of the international community and fellow partners in building a community with a shared future for mankind. 

Minister Xu also underscored that the foundation of the China-U.S. relationship lies in the people. Cultural communication is an important bridge for mutual understanding, respect and commonality. “We hope tonight’s program will encourage you to explore more about China and its on-going efforts for modernization. We also encourage you to travel to China in the future. You will find an open and prospering country of hope and promise.” Xu said. 

In the cultural display session, the young diplomats from the embassy introduced Chinese tea culture to the guests. A tea master showed the guests how to make tea with traditional tea-ware, and invited the guests to try tea making and tasting. 

In the cultural performance session, musicians from the Washington Chinese Traditional Orchestra introduced to the guests traditional Chinese instruments including guzheng, pipa, bamboo flute, dulcimer, erhu, and performed folk melodies such as “A Joyful Day”, “A Heavenly Road” and “Flowers and Full Moon”. The students from the US Wushu Academy gave martial arts performances, winning long applause from the audience. The magician Li Peng, who combined Sichuan opera face-changing with magic and, amid the cheers and amazement of the audience, brought the atmosphere to a climax.

In the calligraphy booth, the guests were introduced to China’s “Four Treasures of the Study”, and they learned to write their Chinese names and words for good wishes; in the Han-style clothing booth, they tried on Han-style costumes, and took pictures in the public area of the embassy; in the food booth, they had a taste of Peking Duck, typhoon shelter prawn, Yangzhou Fried Rice and were lavish in praising the Chinese delicacies.

The event ended in a warm and friendly atmosphere. The guests queued for group photos, expressed their keen interest in Chinese culture and praised the event as an enjoyable and memorable experience.