Chinese Leaders Don Zhongshan Suits for Attire Diplomacy... "Melania and Ivanka Also Embrace Chinese-Style Fashion"

Peng Liyuan Showcases Dresses Featuring Traditional Elements

During Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the United States, several members of the Chinese delegation and some American officials drew attention by wearing attire imbued with traditional Chinese symbolism.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and his wife Peng Liyuan, along with U.S. President Donald Trump and First Lady Melania Trump, are attending a welcoming dinner held at the White House in Washington DC on the 24th (local time). Photo by Xinhua News Agency

On September 26, the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that at the state dinner held at the White House on September 24 (local time), high-ranking Chinese officials, including President Xi Jinping, Cai Qi, member of the Politburo Standing Committee of the Communist Party of China, and Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission and Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended wearing black Zhongshan suits, also known as the Mao suit.

The Zhongshan suit was conceived by Sun Yat-sen, known as the founding father of modern China after the Xinhai Revolution. It is also called the 'Zhongshan suit,' after his hometown. Due to Mao Zedong's frequent use, it is also widely known as the 'Mao suit.' The suit is characterized by a high collar, four front patch pockets with flaps, and five buttons down the front.

The Zhongshan suit has appeared at key moments in Chinese history. On October 1, 1949, when Mao Zedong stood on Tiananmen Gate to proclaim the founding of the People’s Republic of China, he was wearing this suit. Deng Xiaoping, who spearheaded China’s reform and opening, also wore a Zhongshan suit during his state visit to the U.S. in 1979, shortly after diplomatic ties were established between the two countries.

President Xi has also frequently worn a Zhongshan suit at major diplomatic events. However, it is unusual for other senior members of the Chinese delegation to don the suit alongside him. Given that Chinese entrepreneurs were not present at the state dinner during this visit, analysts suggest that the entire delegation’s choice to wear the Zhongshan suit was intended to reinforce national and cultural identity.

Attire of the First Ladies of the US and China. Photo by Reuters and Yonhap News Agency

During her stay in the U.S., Peng Liyuan, President Xi’s wife, continually showcased attire that incorporated modern adaptations of Chinese traditional dress. When she arrived at Joint Base Andrews near Washington DC on September 23, she wore a gray-toned dress featuring Chinese-style collars and tailoring elements reminiscent of the qipao.

The following day, while visiting the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art with First Lady Melania Trump, she wore a deep navy dress incorporating elements of the traditional qipao, complemented by a silver brooch. That evening, at the White House state dinner, she appeared in a red long-sleeved V-neck dress.

According to SCMP, First Lady Melania Trump also opted for attire featuring Chinese motifs: she wore black trousers by Dolce & Gabbana emblazoned with the peony, known as the 'king of flowers' in China and a symbol of harmony and prosperity. While China does not have an official national flower by law, the peony has consistently topped surveys for such a status and is regarded as the 'people's flower.'

Ivanka Trump, President Trump’s eldest daughter, attended the official White House welcoming ceremony in a light blue dress believed to be designed by Guo Pei, a renowned Chinese designer.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.