Recently, as part of the United Nations’ International Day for Dialogue among Civilizations, the Sino-British cultural exchange event "Dialogue of Civilizations: Chinese Tea and Costume" was held in London. Co-hosted by Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology (BIFT) and the Chinese Embassy in the UK, the event brought together over 100 guests, including Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang and Counsellor Hua Mei, BIFT Party Secretary Huang Keying, Baroness Uddin, British Academy of Social Sciences Fellow Robin Albrow, Cambridge professor Alan Macfarlane, and Royal Museums Greenwich Director Paddy Rodgers. Representatives from BIFT’s UK partner art institutions also joined the celebration of Silk Road aesthetics. Speeches were delivered by Ambassador Zheng and Secretary Huang.

Zheng Zeguang Delivers a Speech

Huang Keying Delivers a Speech

Ambassador Zheng Promotes the Event on Social Media

Drawing inspiration from tea culture, the event bridged past and present, East and West, with three key segments: a Tang Dynasty imperial tea ceremony, cross-cultural tea discussions, and a 'Silk Road Coexistence' fashion showcase.

Tang Dynasty-style tea banquet performance

On-site presentation

Academic sharing by Mr. Wang Miao from the China International Tea Culture Institute

Presentation by Professor Alan Macfarlane, University of Cambridge

Sharing by Mr. Alastair Blackburn

Professor Chu Yan introducing the design concept

“Symbiosis Along the Silk Road”– themed fashion show by Chinese designers

Static exhibition display

Tea gathering

Warm exchanges among guests

Research display by Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology

Exchange with representatives from the Royal College of Art

Exchange with representatives from the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art

Exchange with representatives from the Glasgow School of Art

This event honored the mission of the International Day for Interfaith Dialogue, deepening Sino-British cultural exchange and mutual appreciation, while offering a compelling model for global civilizational dialogue.

The Dunhuang-inspired jewelry collection for the fashion show, designed by Associate Professor Gao Wei of BIFT

Rooted in tea and the Silk Road, the event answered the UN’s call for intercultural dialogue, reflecting President Xi Jinping’s vision of cultural diversity and mutual understanding. It highlighted the richness of different civilizations, the legacy of the Silk Road, and the values of respect and openness, offering a vivid cultural vision for building a shared future for humanity.