一日中国体验一生中国情缘

A Glimpse of China Today, A Memory to Take With You

——谢锋大使在第24届华盛顿中国文化节开幕式上的致辞

——Remarks by Ambassador Xie Feng at the 24th Washington Chinese Culture Festival

各位来宾，各位朋友：

Distinguished Guests,

Dear Friends,

很高兴与大家相聚第24届华盛顿中国文化节，共同见证大华府地区一年一度的文化盛会。我谨代表中国驻美国大使馆，对文化节的举办表示热烈祝贺，对华盛顿特区政府的大力支持表示衷心感谢，对辛勤筹备文化节的各华侨华人社团、各位侨胞、各界朋友表示崇高敬意！

It is my great pleasure to join you at the 24th Washington Chinese Culture Festival, a popular annual celebration in the Greater Washington area.

On behalf of the Chinese Embassy, I extend my warm congratulations on the Festival, my sincere thanks to the D.C. government for its strong support, and my deep appreciation to the Chinese community organizations, community members, and friends from all walks of life for making this event possible.

从1999年到今天，华盛顿中国文化节年年如约而至，届届深受欢迎，已经成为美国民众读懂中国的一扇窗、中美民心相通的一座桥。今天的宾夕法尼亚大道铺展成一幅流动的中国画卷，向每一位来宾发出邀约，请大家放慢脚步，用心体验一个厚重、鲜活、开放的中国。

Since 1999, the Festival has become an annual tradition, growing more popular with each passing year. It has become a window into China for the American public and a bridge of friendship between our two peoples.

Today, the Pennsylvania Avenue offers a vivid glimpse of China. I invite you to slow down and discover a China that is rich in history, full of vitality, and open to the world.

体验中国的博大精深、源远流长。五千年中国，从古朴神秘的甲骨文，到瑰丽多姿的敦煌壁画；从驼铃悠扬的丝绸之路，到云帆高张的郑和宝船，中华文明镌刻着民族的精神印记，沉淀着历史的厚重底蕴，也在岁月流转中与世界文明交相辉映。千年以前，丝绸、瓷器与茶叶远渡重洋，改变了世界人民的生活方式。此时此刻，各国朋友在这里试穿汉服、提笔挥毫、品味茶香，亲身感受绵延千年的中华文明在大洋彼岸绽放的时代魅力。

Here, you can experience the depth andrichness of a civilization spanning five thousand years. From oracle bone inscriptions to the Dunhuang murals; from the camel bells of the ancient Silk Road to the sails of Zheng He’s treasure fleets, Chinese civilization carries the spirit of a nation, the weight of history, and a long tradition of exchange between civilizations.

Centuries ago, Chinese silk, porcelain, and tea traveled across oceans and transformed everyday life far beyond China’s shores. Today, right here, you can try on “hanfu”, practice Chinese calligraphy, and enjoy Chinese tea. In doing so, you can experience Chinese culture right here in the United States.

体验中国的创新涌动、活力迸发。今日中国，新能源汽车产销量连续11年领跑全球，人工智能以开源开放、合作共享赋能世界，低空经济开辟万亿级新蓝海，人形机器人运动会惊喜连连。中国式现代化，正让古老中国焕发青春活力，也为文化创新注入澎湃动能。中国潮玩Labubu现身美加墨世界杯开幕式，国产动画电影《八仙！》在北美院线高规格首映反响热烈，精彩多元的中国微短剧风靡全球。希望大家在体验互动中相互启发、彼此借鉴，共同书写中美文化交流的新篇章。

Today, you can also feel the pulse of an innovative and dynamic China.For 11 consecutive years, China has ranked first globally in new energy vehicle production and sales. Its open-source and collaborative approach to artificial intelligence is helping expand access to new technologies. A trillion-yuan low-altitude economy is taking shape, while humanoid robot competitions present rapid advances in this field.

Chinese modernization is bringing fresh vitality to an ancient civilization—and fresh energy to cultural creativity. LABUBU made an appearance at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Chinese animated filmAll Wishes Come True was well received at its North American premiere, while Chinese short-form dramas are finding audiences around the world.

I hope today’s hands-on experiences will spark curiosity, inspire new ideas, and encourage mutual learning as we write a new chapter in China-U.S. cultural exchange.

体验中国的开放自信、海纳百川。中国已对50个国家实施单方面免签，对包括美国在内的57个国家实施240小时过境免签，“说走就走的中国行”已成为现实。今年上半年，外国人入境中国达2291.4万人次，同比增长20.4%，其中免签入境占比高达77.7%。就在刚刚过去的这个夏天，“China Cool”成为新的全球文旅热词。许多外国友人在中国不仅打卡网红景点，更融入烟火日常，把自己活成了“当地人”。中国的大门越开越大，中国的朋友越交越多。期待更多美国朋友来到中国、感受中国，做中美友好的亲历者、中国故事的传播者。

Today, you can also experience a China that is open, confident, and welcoming. China now offers unilateral visa-free entry to citizens of 50 countries, and 240-hour visa-free transit to travelers from 57 countries, including the United States. A spontaneous trip to China is becoming a reality.

In the first half of this year, China welcomed 22.9 million foreign visitors, up 20.4 percent year on year, with nearly 78 percent of them entered visa-free. This past summer, “China Cool” emerged as a new global travel buzzword. Many foreign visitors came to see famous sights, and step into everyday life—to eat where locals eat, wander through neighborhoods, and live, even for a few days, like locals themselves.

As China opens up wider, it is making more friends around the world. We hope many more Americans will visit China, experience the country firsthand, share what you see and experience with others and bring our two peoples closer.

各位来宾、各位朋友，

Guests and Friends,

今年是中美关系的“大年”。5月，两国元首在北京举行历史性、标志性会晤，确立了“中美建设性战略稳定关系”这一新定位，为中美关系这艘巨轮行稳致远把舵定向。习近平主席指出，中美关系希望在人民，基础在民间，未来在青年，活力在地方。习主席亲自提出的“5年5万”倡议提前两年半实现目标，两国青年日益成为中美友好的生力军。最近美国友人“赛考斯”与“治沙英雄”殷玉珍的重逢刷屏网络，让世人看到，两国人民携手可以把世界建设得更美好。让我们发挥好民相亲、心相通的桥梁纽带作用，推动中美民间交往和人文交流走深走实，为两国关系新定位注入源源不断的民间力量。

This is a significant year for China-U.S. relations. In May, President Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump held a historic and landmark meeting in Beijing, where they agreed to build a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability. Their meeting set a clear direction forward.

As President Xi has said, the hope of China-U.S. relations lies in the people, the foundation in our societies, the future in the youth, and the vitality at the local level. His initiative to invite 50,000 young Americans to China in five years reached the target two and a half years ahead of schedule. Young people on both sides are becoming a stronger force for friendship between our two countries.

More recently, the reunion of American teacher Ronald Sakolsky and Yin Yuzhen, known for her heroic efforts to combat desertification, touched people across social media. Their story reminds us that when Chinese and Americans work together, we can make the world a better place.

Let us build more bridges for people-to-people and cultural exchanges, and strengthen the public foundation for a constructive China-U.S. relationship of strategic stability.

最后，预祝第24届华盛顿中国文化节圆满成功！欢迎大家在这里尝美食、赏表演、品文化，更期待大家踏上中国的土地，把今天的“一日体验”，延续成一生的“中国情缘”！

In conclusion, I wish the 24th Washington Chinese Culture Festival every success. Please enjoy the food, the performances, and the cultural experiences. I hope many of you will one day visit China — and turn today’s glimpse into a lasting connection of your own.

谢谢大家！

Thank you.