Chinese Ambassador to the US Xie Feng delivered remarks at the 2026 Chinese Embassy Open House in Washington, D.C., spotlighting the rich cultural heritage and dynamic development of Shaanxi Province to an audience of diplomats, officials, and guests. Here's what he had to say.

Vice Chairman Fan Weibin, Distinguished guests, Dear friends,

Welcome to the Chinese Embassy on the Around the World Embassy Tour. Today, we will explore Shaanxi Province in northwest China, the starting point of the ancient Silk Road. Let us savor the rich and robust flavors of Shaanxi through biangbiang noodles and roujiamo (or Chinese burger), discover the ancient land’s unique charm through music and dance from the Tang Dynasty and terracotta exhibitions, and also catch a glimpse of China’s past, present, and future.

Shaanxi is like a river, carrying the continuity of Chinese civilization. As a saying goes, “To understand 5,000 years of Chinese history, visit Shaanxi.” The Yellow River, which is the mother river of the Chinese nation, flows through Shaanxi and has nurtured the splendid Chinese civilization. Fourteen dynasties in Chinese history established their capitals here. From the terracotta warriors, the “Eighth Wonder of the World”, to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda, cultural treasures shine across the land. From Xi’an drum music, known as “China’s ancient symphony”, to shadow puppetry, intangible cultural heritage abounds.

Today, through preservation and innovation, Shaanxi has breathed new life into these living cultural fossils. The Grand Tang Dynasty Ever Bright City has become an iconic landmark of the ancient capital, while millennia-old drum music is attracting new audiences through livestreamed performances. From the past to the present and into the future, innovation has sustained Chinese civilization through changing times, continuously renewing its vitality.

Shaanxi stands as a monument, paying tribute to the striving spirit of the Chinese people. Yan’an in northern Shaanxi is hailed as the cradle of New China. It was from here that the Communist Party of China led the nation to victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the War of Liberation.

Today, Shaanxi has eradicated poverty and embarked on the path of revitalization, emerging as a major industrial hub and a pioneer in science and technology. Electric vehicles, solar batteries, and 3D printing equipment are becoming Shaanxi’s new hallmarks, while trillion-yuan-scale future industries, including quantum and photonics sectors, are rapidly taking shape. From the past to the present and into the future, the Chinese people have never ceased to forge ahead with perseverance, writing exciting new chapters of history across the country.

Shaanxi opens a window, showcasing the openness and inclusiveness of the Chinese nation. Over 2,100 years ago, Zhang Qian, an envoy of the Western Han Dynasty, set out from Chang’an, today’s Xi’an, on a diplomatic mission to the western regions, laying a foundation for the famous Silk Road. Over 1,400 years ago, the eminent monk Xuanzang of the Tang Dynasty made a pilgrimage to the west from Chang’an in search of Buddhist scriptures. Chang’an at the time was a truly international metropolis and the world’s first city with a population of over 1 million. Envoys, caravans, and scholars from more than 300 countries gathered here, where diverse cultures met, blended, and resonated in perfect harmony.

Today, Shaanxi has deeply integrated into the Belt and Road Initiative, and become a frontier of opening up in China’s hinterland. Every 100 minutes, a China-Europe freight train leaves or arrives at Xi’an International Port Station. The Shaanxi Pilot Free Trade Zone has yielded fruitful outcomes. Enterprises from 93 countries and regions are investing and operating in the province. From the past to the present and into the future, China has always embraced the world with open arms, and engaged with the world confidently.

Shaanxi is like a book, recording touching stories of China-U.S. friendship. In 1936, American journalist Edgar Snow visited Yan’an and interviewed leaders of the Chinese Red Army, after which he wrote Red Star Over China, presenting the true image of the Communist Party of China to the world for the first time. During the World War II, to support the Flying Tigers, the people of Hanzhong City in southwest Shaanxi leveled the runways with hoes, and expanded the airfield within just 45 days.

Today, Shaanxi is renewing the friendship between China and the United States. The province and its cities have established 13 sister-city relationships with U.S. counterparts. The 14th China-U.S. Tourism Leadership Summit was held in Xi’an. One Voice Children’s Choir from Utah and their Chinese peers sang together songs of friendship under the ancient city wall of Xi’an. From the past to the present and into the future, the people of our two countries have always held warm feelings toward each other, and their shared aspiration for exchanges and cooperation continues to grow stronger.

Dear friends,

On the wall of the Shaanxi Archaeology Museum are the following words: “Give the past a future.” For more than 5,000 years, the Chinese people have carried the torch generation upon generation, and created the world’s only uninterrupted civilization. Today, China has embarked on a new journey during the 15th Five-Year Plan period. We are taking solid steps to advance high-quality development, further deepening reform and opening-up on all fronts, and heading toward a brighter future. A more prosperous China will surely be an anchor of peace and a harbor of stability in a turbulent world, and a more open China will bring strong momentum and vast opportunities for shared development of all countries.

Over the past five decades and more, the China-U.S. relationship has kept moving forward despite wind and rain. Currently, the relationship has come to another crossroads. Our two sides need to review the past, and draw experience and lessons from history. We need to focus on the present, and advance the steady, sound, and sustainable development of bilateral relations. We also need to look to the future, and explore a right way to get along with each other in the new era, so that both our peoples and people around the world will lead better lives.

This year is a “big year” for China-U.S. relations. We welcome more American friends to take advantage of China’s 240-hour visa-free transit policy, visit the fascinating land of Shaanxi, and discover the rich splendor of China.We welcome more American businesses to actively participate in China-U.S. economic and trade cooperation, seize China’s opportunities, and share in global benefits. We also welcome more American teenagers to be part of the “50,000 in five years” initiative, strive to be envoys of goodwill, and foster amity between our peoples.

Wishing you all a wonderful day of “Becoming Chinese” at our Embassy. Thank you!