On January 24, 2025, the Chinese Embassy in the United States hosted a reception celebrating the arrival of the new pair of giant pandas and the 2025 Chinese New Year. Ambassador Xie Feng and his wife, Madam Wang Dan, as well as Minister Jing Quan and Minister Qiu Wenxing of the Embassy attended the reception. Over 600 guests joined the reception, including Acting Coordinator at the Office of Chinese Affairs of the State Department Collin Crosby, Special Envoy of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities Carla Canales, Director of the Smithsonian's National Zoo Brandie Smith, Secretary of the District of Columbia Kimberly Bassett, former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez, former U.S. ambassador to China Max Baucus, in addition to foreign diplomatic envoys, overseas Chinese, Chinese-invested institutions and students in the United States.

Ambassador Xie extended New Year greetings to the guests and noted out that the reception celebrates three joyous occasions at the same time: first, the first “UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage version” Chinese New Year; second, the first Chinese New Year together with Bao Li and Qing Bao; and third, the China-U.S. relationship setting out at a new starting point. President Xi Jinping had a phone call with President Donald Trump, and the two leaders reached important common understandings on enhancing communication and cooperation in various fields and stabilizing and developing China-U.S. relations. This has charted the course for a smooth start and the overall stability of China-U.S. relations. President Xi’s Special Representative Vice President Han Zheng attended President Trump’s Inauguration Ceremony upon invitation. For a stable, healthy and sustainable development China-U.S. relationship, it is important that the two sides strictly hold on to the baselines, keep dialogue and cooperation going, and establish a correct strategic perception.

The reception was held in a joyful and grand atmosphere. Dr. Brandie Smith and panda lovers shared their own stories about pandas. The guests enjoyed a Panda Fun Fest, watched panda-themed exhibitions and videos, and also marveled at the “Dance of the Golden Snake”, “Movie Music from Kung Fu Panda”, and “Music from Black Myth: Wukong”, performed by the Washington Chinese Traditional Orchestra. Wishing each other a happy Chinese New Year, the guests spent a pleasant evening at the Embassy.