On January 28, 2026, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng attended the "Nihao! China" Tourism Promotion Reception and Lunar New Year Concert in Philadelphia and delivered remarks.

Ambassador Xie extended festive greetings to friends from all walks of life who have long cared for and supported China-U.S. people-to-people exchanges. Quoting President Xi Jinping's important statement that the hope of the China-U.S. relationship lies in the people and its foundation is in our societies, Ambassador Xie emphasized that we need to use people-to-people exchanges as a bridge, and advance friendship through art; we need to use people-to-people exchanges as a medium, and promote mutually beneficial cooperation; and we need to use people-to-people exchanges as a mirror, and celebrate both our cultures through mutual learning, so as to help China and the United States find a right way to get along in the new era.

Ambassador Xie noted that videos of Americans adopting a Chinese lifestyle are going viral on U.S. social media platforms in recent days, with the hashtag "Becoming Chinese" trending.China's door is always open to the world. It has been continuously making border entry easier and improving services from customs clearance to payment, transportation and accommodation, so that foreign friends can travel in China hassle-free. China now provides a 240-hour visa-free transit policy to 55 countries, including the U.S. More American friends are welcome to embark on a trip to China whenever they like, and experience for themselves a real, dynamic and panoramic China, which is both cool and welcoming.

Co-hosted by the China National Tourist New York Office and the Philadelphia Orchestra, the event showcased to the American people the vitality and openness of contemporary Chinese culture through the combination of a concert, the "Philadelphia Orchestra and China" exhibition, and tourism promotion. Renowned traditional Chinese music performers Yu Hongmei and Zhang Hongyan from the Central Conservatory of Music of China joined the Philadelphia Orchestra in performing classic pieces. Nearly 2,500 guests attended the event, including representatives from the political, cultural and tourism sectors of both countries as well as local residents.