China Highlights Resilience and Openness at Embassy Open House Featuring Gansu Province

LAPost/Washington D.C., May 4, 2025 – As part of the 2025 “Around the World Embassy Tour” in Washington D.C., the Chinese Embassy opened its doors to thousands of visitors on Saturday, spotlighting Gansu Province—one of China’s most historically rich and culturally diverse regions. Chinese Ambassador to the U.S., Xie Feng, delivered keynote remarks, emphasizing China’s steady commitment to openness, development, and global engagement amid a world of rising uncertainty.

(Photo from: Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States of America)

“Every year, we welcome friends from D.C. and beyond—just as China opens its arms to the world,” Ambassador Xie said in his address. “This year, we take you on a journey through Gansu, a dreamlike land along the ancient Silk Road.”

Gansu: Cradle of Civilization and Modern Transformation

Located in northwestern China, Gansu Province boasts a deep historical legacy. It is considered a cradle of Chinese civilization, home to legendary ancestors Fuxi and Nyuwa, and rich in cultural treasures such as the Mogao Caves, Giant Buddha Temple, and Jiayuguan Pass. Known for its diverse landscapes—ranging from deserts to rainbow-colored cliffs to snow-capped mountains—Gansu is also a symbol of China’s ethnic unity, where 55 ethnic groups live side-by-side.

Ambassador Xie highlighted Gansu’s journey from poverty to progress, calling it “a story of resilience and self-reliance.” Once one of China’s poorest regions, Gansu has lifted more than 5.5 million people out of poverty in recent years. “A barren land will never apply to Gansu again,” he said, citing major advances in clean energy, digital infrastructure, and ecological farming.

A Modern Silk Road of Global Exchange

Gansu’s historical role as a key hub along the Silk Road was another focal point of the event. Ambassador Xie noted that the ancient trade route, stretching over 1,600 kilometers through the province, was once a global meeting point for goods, ideas, and cultures.

That spirit of international cooperation continues today. Gansu has maintained a sister-state relationship with Oklahoma for over four decades and has engaged in long-term cultural conservation partnerships, such as the Dunhuang Academy’s collaboration with the Getty Conservation Institute. Cultural exports like the dance drama Silk Road, Flower Rain have brought the stories of Gansu to audiences across the United States.

“When nations connect, they prosper,” Xie remarked. “When they close off, they fall behind.”

Trade and Cooperation Over Confrontation

Touching on the broader China-U.S. economic relationship, Ambassador Xie underscored the mutual benefits of bilateral trade, pointing out that in 2022 alone, U.S.-owned companies generated over $400 billion more in sales revenue in China than Chinese companies did in the U.S.

“Tariff hikes benefit no one,” he warned. “They disrupt businesses, raise costs, and slow global growth.” While affirming China’s unwillingness to initiate a trade war, Xie emphasized that China will defend its interests and the international trade order when necessary.

“If the U.S. wants to talk, it should do so in the spirit of equality, respect, and reciprocity,” he added.

China’s Path Forward: Open, Inclusive, Resilient

In closing, Ambassador Xie reaffirmed China’s commitment to steady economic growth and openness. He cited recent economic data showing a 5.4% GDP increase in the first quarter of 2025 and a 6.9% rise in exports. With growing global partnerships, rising tourism, and surging consumer activity, he said, “China is stepping confidently into the future.”

Tourism to China is rebounding sharply, with foreign visits rising nearly 83% in 2024 and inbound tourism bookings up 173% during this year’s May Day holiday. Popular culture is also playing a role, with recent visits from celebrities like Oscar-winner Adrien Brody drawing attention to “Silk Road tours” and other immersive experiences across China.

“From Gansu to all of China, we welcome you to discover an ancient land that continues to thrive and evolve,” Ambassador Xie said, closing with an invitation for the world to engage with a more confident and connected China.  (By Richard Ren/LAPost)