July 27, 2023

Dear Guests and Friends,

Culture Lovers,

Good evening! Welcome to the Chinese embassy. This is our second open house event during this year to highlight the Chinese culture. I am very glad to see so many American friends joining us here for tonight’s program.

The Chinese civilization, lasting for millennia, has a rich heritage and myriad attractions. For tonight, we put together a small but distinctive collection of its highlights. You will have a first-hand experience of Chinese tea ceremony, calligraphy, folk music, martial arts and face-changing (bian lian) performance. You are also welcome to try some tasty bites that the embassy chefs have especially prepared for tonight.

The Chinese culture prizes peace and affinity. Tonight’s program centers around a core value in China’s cultural tradition, that is, harmony. It has been deeply cherished in the Chinese civilization for thousands of years. This culture of harmony guides every aspect of how we Chinese perceive social relations, the relationship with nature and between different countries. Let me explain them a little bit.

First, a harmonious social relationship. Confucius once said, “Gentlemen pursue harmony without uniformity.” This line of thinking explains why Chinese people advocate seeking common ground and allowing for differences in daily lives.

Second, 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.

Third, 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.

Dear Friends,

The foundation of the China-U.S. relationship lies in the people. Its future depends on the younger generation. As we meet tonight, we are promoting cultural communication as an important bridge for mutual understanding, respect and commonality. Many of tonight’s guests are coming to D.C. for summer camps. I hope tonight’s program will encourage you to explore more about China and its on-going efforts for modernization. I also encourage you to travel to China in the future. You will find an open and prospering country of hope and promise.

Geographical distances never stand between bosom friends. Wherever you come from, please enjoy tonight’s program and make it a night of new horizons and new friendship!

Thank you.