Ambassador Xie Feng Highlights Cultural Unity and Diplomacy at DC Dragon Boat Festival Celebration
Chinese Ambassador Xie Feng and his wife join the Taiwan Strait community in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival and strengthen cultural ties.
On May 30, 2025, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng and his wife Wang Dan joined a cross-Strait gathering of the Chinese community in the Washington, D.C. area to mark the Dragon Boat Festival. The event was attended by community members representing both sides of the Taiwan Strait, as well as Minister Counselor Qiu Wenxing, in a display of cultural unity and shared heritage.
During remarks at the festivities, Ambassador Xie highlighted the spirit of togetherness underscored by Chinese President Xi Jinping, stating that people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait are “one family.” He stressed, “No force can sever the bonds of blood and kinship that unite us, nor can anyone obstruct the historical trend toward China’s reunification.” Xie reiterated that compatriots across the Strait not only share common ancestry, culture, and history, but also bear a collective responsibility toward the future and rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Ambassador Xie also voiced concerns over the actions of certain “anti-China forces” in the U.S., which he said have encouraged and supported “Taiwan independence” factions in taking reckless actions, thereby undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. He further criticized recent U.S. tariff policies, describing their implementation as “arbitrary” and arguing that tariffs have caused severe harm to the well-being of people around the world.
Responding to the recent U.S. State Department decision to revoke visas for Chinese students, Ambassador Xie revealed that the Chinese Embassy had lodged “strong representations” with U.S. officials. He assured the community, “We will continue to firmly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese students and overseas Chinese.”
The Ambassador also took the opportunity to reflect on the broader cultural importance of the Dragon Boat Festival, emphasizing its themes of determination, teamwork, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. He suggested that the event's traditional dragon boat race embodies the strength, resilience, and unity of the Chinese nation. “With more than 1.4 billion Chinese people rowing in unison,” he declared, “there is no storm we cannot weather, no destination we cannot reach.” Ambassador Xie encouraged overseas Chinese to draw inspiration from the “dragon boat spirit,” urging them to move with confidence and solidarity toward the goal of national reunification and rejuvenation.
The celebration served not only as a joyful observance of ancient traditions, but also as a moment for reflection on identity, shared values, and the hopes of the Chinese diaspora in the United States during a time of evolving cross-Strait and U.S.-China relations.
