Find a Right Way for China and the United States to Get along in the New Era with People-to-People Exchanges as a Bridge, a Medium and a Mirror——Remarks by Chinese Ambassador[...]

(Philadelphia, January 28, 2026)

Mr. Ryan Fleur,
Consul General Chen Li,
Senator Sharif Street,
Senator Nikil Saval,
Director Ma Yunfei,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Dear friends,

Good evening!

With the Year of the Horse just around the corner, it gives me great pleasure to join you atthe "Nihao! China" Tourism Promotion Reception and Chinese New Year Concert.

As one of the first American orchestras to visit China, the Philadelphia Orchestra has made important contributions to promoting goodwill between China and the United States. Our other co-host, the China National Tourist New York Office, has been committed to encouraging people-to-people exchanges since its founding. So first of all, on behalf of the Chinese Embassy in the United States, I would like toextend festive greetings and heartfelt thanks to both our hosts and all friends who have long supported China-U.S. cultural exchanges!

As President Xi Jinping pointed out, the hope of the China-U.S. relationship lies in the people, and its foundation is in our societies. In October last year, our two Presidents held a successful summit in Busan, during which they recalibrated the direction of bilateral relations at a crucial moment again, and reached important consensus on promoting people-to-people exchanges. At present, our two countries are exploring a right way to get along in the new era, which is not easy. Both sides, therefore, need to keep strengthening the ties of cultural exchanges, so as to steadily inject positive energy into bilateral relations.

We need to use people-to-people exchanges as a bridge, and advance friendship through art. Both Chinese and American peoples aspire for beauty. As an embodiment of beauty, art is a universal language that connects our hearts. The past year witnessed vibrant art exchanges between our two countries. In October, the Philadelphia Orchestra embarked on its 15th tour in China, during which it attended the China-U.S. Zhiyin Dialogue alongside more than 20 otherleading art institutions from both countries to explore new pathways of cooperation. When strings are struck and songs take flight, the beauty of art resonates between our two peoples. With its warm and resilient power, art channels cultural exchanges into a strong momentum for mutual understanding and trust.

We need to use people-to-people exchanges as a medium, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation. People-to-people exchanges not only foster friendship, but also yield significant economic benefits. Last year, the Chinese animated movie Ne Zha 2 was shown in more than 900 cinemas across North America, and became one of the highest-grossingChinese movies in the region over the past two decades. China was the largest market of the American movie Zootopia 2, where it earned over $600 million. We welcome more top-tier American troupes to tour China, and also support leading Chinese performing arts groups in bringing artistic feasts to American audiences. In this way, we can open more windows for our peoples to get to know each other better, and add more substance to the mutually beneficial nature of China-U.S. relations.

We also need to use people-to-people exchanges as a mirror, and celebrate both our cultures through mutual learning. Spanning more than 5,000 years, the Chinese civilization advocates the unity of humanity and nature, as well as harmony in the world, which have been embedded in the Chinese national identity. Meanwhile, the American people, who are about to celebrate the 250th anniversary of independence, have charted an epic path with their enterprising, innovative and free-spirited character. Instead of being stuck in a zero-sum race to the bottom, our two cultures can well draw on each other and progress together. Both sides need to expand and deepen people-to-people exchanges, so as to better understand each other through mutual respect, build consensus through mutual appreciation, and strive to become better versions of ourselves.

Dear friends,

In recent days, videos of Americans adopting a Chinese lifestyle are going viral on U.S. social media platforms, with the hashtag "Becoming Chinese"trending. American netizens are sharing clips of themselves dieting, sleeping, dressing and entertaining in the Chinese way. They now drink hot water, eat warm congee, make healthy teas, wear slippers at home, practice Baduanjin (an ancient Chinese wellness exercise), and wear red to pray for good luck. Many have marveled at waking up to find themselves "becoming Chinese", while some commented, "Nice to meet you at a very Chinese time of your life". People are excitedly showcasing their lives in a Chinese style, and even competing to see who is the most "Chinese".

China's door is always open to the world. We have been continuously making border entry easier and improving our services from customs clearance to payment, transportation and accommodation, so that foreign friends can travel in China hassle-free. We now provide a 240-hour visa-free transit policy to 55 countries, including the U.S. We sincerely welcome more American friends to embark on a trip to our country whenever you like, and experience for yourselves a real, dynamic and panoramic China, which is both cool and welcoming.

Dear friends,

In the 12 Chinese Zodiac Signs, the horse symbolizes vitalityand bold resolve to forge ahead. In the new year, China-U.S. relations face both new opportunities and multiple challenges. China is ready to work together with the U.S. side, to adhere to the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, enhance mutual understanding, manage differences and expand cooperation, and in particular, strengthen ties between our peoples through cultural exchanges, so as to promote the steady, sound and sustainable development of bilateral relations, for the good of both our two countries and the entire world.

In closing, I wish tonight's reception and concert a resounding success, and may all of you be blessed with abundant happiness and prosperity in the Year of the Horse!