Chinese culture opens its arms to embrace the world

China's ambassador to the United States Xie Feng welcomed nearly 300 guests from myriad backgrounds to the Chinese embassy in Washington, DC, for a fashion event on Friday.

"The Chinese civilization has run uninterrupted for thousands of years, exploring new ground through reform and innovation and gaining fresh vigor by drawing on other cultures," Xie told his guests. "China today is opening its arms wider to embrace the world and creating a better world with a more dynamic civilization."

The Experience Chinese Fashion and Arts event, jointly hosted with the Associates of the American Foreign Service Worldwide, saw guests being introduced to the unique charm of Chinese culture through fashion shows and qipao dances.

More than 20 models sashayed down the runway in over 200 specially tailored qipao, or traditional Chinese dress for women, made of exquisite fabrics with novel designs.

During intervals in the fashion show, dancers of the Xuejuan Dance Ensemble performed dances with delicate moves while wearing beautiful qipao.

Xie said qipao, which represents traditional Chinese attire, provides a window to understanding China.

Beauty is everywhere in the world, he said.

"What is lacking is not beauty, but eyes to perceive her, and a big heart and an open mind to appreciate the beauty of all civilizations," Xie said.

"China and the United States are different in history, culture, social system and development path. Nevertheless, these should not hamper our exchanges, but should encourage us to learn from each other," he added.

A single flower does not make a spring, Xie cited the Chinese idiom, saying there are more than 200 countries and regions in the world, and more than 2,500 ethnic groups and multiple religions.

"Each and every kind of attire, music and lifestyle is irreplaceable and is a shared treasure of mankind. This is why China has put forward the Global Civilization Initiative," he said.

"We look forward to working with other countries to jointly advocate respect for the diversity of civilizations, the common values of humanity, the inheritance and innovation of civilizations, and robust international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.

"It is our hope that fashion and art will serve as bridges for China-US cultural exchanges and mutual learning, and inject impetus into dialogue between and common progress of all civilizations."

During the event, guests had the opportunity to try on qipao, and stylists on site gave them exquisite makeovers.

Adorned in elegant qipao, guests posed for photographs in front of the embassy's decorated spiral staircase, windows and paintings. They were invited to grace the catwalk to express the beauty of civilizational exchanges and mutual understanding through the language of fashion, winning applause from the audience.

Among the attendees were Minister Jing Quan and Minister Counselor Chen Chunmei of the embassy, Secretary-General of the Organization of American States Luis Almagro and his wife, along with envoys and spouses from other countries and representatives of international organizations.

The event also featured the Ningbo Performing Arts Group, Ningbo Fenghua District Cultural Tourism Group and Zhejiang Chantel Gong Cultural Industry Development.

Gong Hangyu, founder and qipao designer for Chantel Gong, shared her knowledge of Chinese qipao culture and design through lectures at the George Washington University Museum and the Textile Museum, as well as the Chinese American Museum during her stay in Washington, fostering a deeper appreciation for the rich heritage and artistry of Chinese qipao.

yifanxu@chinadailyusa.com