On March 30, 2026, the “Song-Yuan China, Qipao Meets Quanzhou — 2026 Fujian Province Qipao Fashion Invitation Competition” launched its opening ceremony at the Quanzhou Garden Hotel. Jointly organized by the Fujian Provincial Cultural Volunteers Association and the Quanzhou Radio and Television All-Media News Center, the competition has been running auditions since April and will culminate in a grand final in July.
The competition features four themed categories: Maritime Silk Road New Attire, Citong Qipao Rhythm, Silk Road Elegant Gathering, and Minnan Grace. Together they cover traditional qipao presentation, cultural knowledge contests, and creative styling — weaving Quanzhou’s identity as a UNESCO World Heritage site and the historic starting point of the Maritime Silk Road into every stage of the event.
Liu Zongli, president of the Fujian Provincial Cultural Volunteers Association, said in his opening address that qipao carries the aesthetic sensibility and cultural DNA of the Chinese nation. “This competition has grown over several years into an important platform for cultural transmission and innovation,” he noted, emphasizing that this edition would draw more deeply on Quanzhou’s Maritime Silk Road heritage to blend traditional cultural elements with modern fashion design.
Liu stressed that cultural transmission requires broad social participation, expressing hope that the event would attract more young people to engage with qipao culture and give this traditional garment renewed vitality in the contemporary era.
The ceremony opened with a qipao theatrical performance titled Qipao Woman. Contestant representative Sun Xiaohong, a repeat participant over several years, spoke for many enthusiasts: “Every participation is a cultural immersion; every stage appearance is a form of self-transcendence.” For her, qipao is not merely clothing — it is an attitude toward life and a cultural commitment. She noted that this year’s competition is larger in scale and more innovative in format, raising expectations among participants.
Public Welfare Activities Throughout the Season
Beyond the competition itself, organizers will host a series of public benefit activities including qipao walking technique workshops, garment exhibitions, and styling guidance sessions. The July finals in Quanzhou will bring together qipao enthusiasts from across Fujian Province, united by a shared garment and a shared cultural heritage.
With qipao as the brush, participants will paint their own stories of elegance — and with the ancient port of Citong (Quanzhou’s historic name) as the backdrop, the competition promises a cultural dialogue that spans centuries.