Name: Morality and Virtue Make Beauty Shine Through: Fiona Ji, Miss NTD Beauty Pageant Contestant
Uploaded: 2023-10-02T13:53:05.000Z
Description: According to a Chinese saying, “what’s on the outside is influenced by what’s in your heart,” says Fiona Ji, a contestant in the New Tang Dynasty (NTD) Global Chinese Beauty Pageant—also known as Miss NTD.

Stefania Cox is an NTD News anchor and national correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Stefania anchors "NTD Newsroom," and co-anchors "NTD News Today" weekdays at 10:00 am ET.

Stefania Cox

NTD Plus

News

We present news that is truthful and based on facts, outside of the political fog. Instead of focusing on the negative things happening around us, our mission is to give our viewers a good morning with empathetic and uplifting stories. Our aim is to provide an antidote to negativity by shining a light on the best side of people. We speak to inspiring people who positively impact communities, pursue topics that represent our common human values, and will never miss an opportunity to bring you heartwarming stories.

NTD Good Morning

Start Some Schooltime Routines Now, as Consistency Builds Security: Expert

Cary Dunst is the news anchor for NTD Evening News. He is also the co-host of NTD Good Morning.


Cary Dunst

Next Interview With Investigation Subcommittee Could Get More Answers From Fauci: Analyst

NTD Newsroom comprises teams of reporters, editors, and producers assigned to cover breaking news and other stories.


NTD Newsroom

NASA to Send New Telescope Deep Into Space to Conduct Largest Cosmic Surveys Yet

Real-Life Spider-Man Invited to Hollywood Premiere After Act of Kindness Goes Viral

Japan Earthquake Survivors Battle Thirst, Heat as Death Toll Rises to 30

Daniel Monaghan is a reporter for NTD News covering culture, social issues, and education. He holds a BA in Political Science and Government.

Daniel Monaghan

Sen. Lindsey Graham Celebrated at Funeral Service in Home State of South Carolina

Republican States Ask Supreme Court to Restore Trump’s Election Integrity Order

8 Dead, Including Children, After Russian Airstrikes Hit Ukraine, Local Officials Say

Reuters is a news agency owned by Thomson Reuters. It employs around 2,500 journalists and 600 photojournalists in about 200 locations worldwide writing in 16 languages.

Reuters

World News

Asia &amp; Pacific

Rescuers Search for Survivors After a Quake Kills 18 in Southwestern Japan

US News

USDA to Fund Arizona Facility to Fight Flesh-Eating Livestock Pest

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 30)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 29)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 28)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 27)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 24)

Paul Greaney is an NTD news anchor and producer. Since joining the company in 2018, he has anchored the station’s flagship Evening News broadcast, launched the NTD Business show, and produced documentary reports on pointed issues. 

The highlight of Paul’s time in the field was his coverage of the Hong Kong pro-democracy protests in 2019.

Paul Greaney

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 23)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 22)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 21)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 20)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (July 17)

Tom Gantert is a reporter for The Epoch Times.

Tom Gantert

Melina Wisecup is NTD's congressional correspondent based in Washington, covering Capitol Hill and campaign politics.

Melina Wisecup

Politics

Executive Branch

Trump Uses Recent Speeches to Warn Americans of Resurging Communism

Juliet Song is an international correspondent exclusively covering China news for NTD. She primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus," covering U.S.-China relations, the Chinese regime's human rights abuses, and domestic unrest inside China.

Juliet Song

Shows

Fast, compelling, first-hand news from China. China in Focus airs Monday–Friday at 9:30 p.m. ET.

China in Focus

2.8 Million People in China Evacuated Amid Typhoon Bavi

Breaking news and in-depth analysis from the United States and beyond. We bring you the latest updates, exclusive insights, and sharp discussions on the most pressing issues. NTD Newsroom airs Monday–Friday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. ET.

US Announces Visa Restrictions Targeting Cybercriminals

NTD Movies

NTD+ Movies

The Unrestricted War

Joseph Lord is a congressional reporter for The Epoch Times.


Joseph Lord

Congress

House Passes Legislation to Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent

Troy Myers is a regional reporter based in St. Augustine, Florida. His background includes breaking, criminal justice, and investigative writing for local news, producing on a national morning newscast in Washington, D.C., and working with an award-winning, weekly investigative news program. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with his dog at the beach.

Troy Myers

Jason Perry is an Army veteran and NTD's national security correspondent. Jason primarily covers border security, national defense, foreign wars, and veterans' issues.

Jason Perry

Courts

Appeals Court Upholds Block on Trump Order to Tighten Mail-In Voting, Citizenship Verification

The Associated Press is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. 

The Associated Press

Sen. Lindsey Graham Likely Died After Aorta Tear, Medical Examiner Says

Mary Man is a writer for NTD. She has traveled around the world covering China, international news, and arts and culture.

Mary Man

China News

China Floods: Thousands at Risk After Multiple Dams Collapse in Guangxi

Bringing you the latest videos, livestreams, and premieres.


NTD Videos

Label

Live

NTD+ Live

Trump Makes an Announcement on Freedom Hauler in the White House

Jackson Richman is a Washington correspondent for The Epoch Times. In addition to Washington politics, he covers the intersection of politics and sports/sports and culture. He previously was a writer at Mediaite and Washington correspondent at Jewish News Syndicate. His writing has also appeared in The Washington Examiner. He is an alum of George Washington University.

Jackson Richman

House Passes Defense Policy Bill That Attaches SAVE America Act

Danella Pérez Schmieloz

According to a Chinese saying, “what’s on the outside is influenced by what’s in your heart,” says Fiona Ji, a contestant in the New Tang Dynasty (NTD) Global Chinese Beauty Pageant—also known as Miss NTD.

“I fully agree with that,” she told NTD.

“If you elevate yourself morally and become a more virtuous person, then that type of natural beauty will shine through, into your outward appearance.”

“As you age, your physical beauty might decline. But what's on the inside will last forever,” she added.

Ms. Ji is a first-year college student majoring in German studies. She grew up in a traditional Chinese household, immersed in ancient Chinese values and etiquette, which informed her understanding of what being a “true lady” means.

When her mother suggested participating in Miss NTD, she saw it as an opportunity to spread “the value of traditional culture through an interesting and creative way,” said she.

<a href="https://missntd.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Miss NTD</a> is a pageant that promotes ancient Chinese values and celebrates the pure, authentic beauty of the Chinese woman, seeking to revive traditional femininity.

The event aims to revive the traditional and profound concept of beauty that comprehends not only outer looks but also character and will. Contestants will be judged on five essential inner values: morality, righteousness, propriety, benevolence, and faithfulness.
<h2><strong>Traditional Femininity</strong></h2>
Ms. Ji mentioned learning traditional Chinese values and etiquette taught her what her duties are as a daughter, sister, student, or friend.

At home, “I learned about respecting your elders and caring for your juniors, and rules such as taking and handing things to your elders with both hands,” said she.

“I also grew up hearing all about the stories of ancient Chinese heroines like Mu Guiying the female general, Wang Zhaojun, one of the four ancient beauties of China,” she recounted.

Such stories helped her understand “different dimensions and facets of traditional Chinese feminine beauty,” what “feminine strength” meant in ancient China, and what it entails “to be a true lady.”

“I grew up imagining myself as these heroines and wondering what I would have done if I were in their shoes,” she added.

She also recounted her concept of beauty was influenced by learning Chinese traditional dance, which she has done since she was 7 years old.

Dancing connected Ms. Ji to her Chinese roots and taught her how one’s inner world affects the external appearance.

“Only when you have an upright moral character and are morally strong will you be able to display the most authentic and true version of yourself on stage,” she said.

Practicing Chinese traditional dance and participating in Miss NTD, has also granted her lessons on humility, perseverance, kindness, and self-respect, she said.
<h2><strong>Languages as Bridges to Other Cultures</strong></h2>
Ms. Ji is grateful that she speaks Mandarin, which granted her access to her heritage, something many other Chinese descendants have lost.

Besides Mandarin, she speaks fluent English and French, and knows basic Spanish. She is currently studying German at college.

“I believe that languages truly help open doors to different worlds and different cultures,” she mentioned.

“The process of learning a language isn't just about learning grammatical structures or syntax. It's really a process of coming to understand the culture and history behind a language and its people.”
<h2><strong>Holding on to Tradition</strong></h2>
Ms. Ji is concerned that people her age are moving away from traditional culture and tend to reject it.

“That's a really sad thing that's happening, because I think there's actually a lot of valuable lessons and values that we can learn from traditional Chinese culture and other traditional cultures as well,” she said.

“Young people today shouldn't just throw these things away, it's really important to see the value in your heritage.”

Miss NTD 2023 will be held at the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College in Harrison, New York, from Sept. 24 to Oct. 1. During this time, judges will consider four categories: an interview with judges; on-stage questions and answers; dancewear to showcase fitness, poise, and posture; and an evening gown. Those who choose to may also compete in the optional performing arts categories of creative, singing, or dancing— either classical Chinese or ballet.

The awards include a $10,000 cash prize, Shen Yun’s Heavenly Phoenix gold necklace and earring set, designer dresses, a collection of other gifts, and the honor of wearing the official Miss NTD phoenix crown, a beautiful sapphire tiara, for a year.

Tickets are available <a href="https://missntd.org/about-us/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.

<em>From <a href="https://www.theepochtimes.com/bright/morality-and-virtue-make-beauty-shine-through-fiona-ji-miss-ntd-beauty-pageant-contestant-5492726">The Epoch Times</a></em>

Latest

Arts and Culture

girl

traditional

Paywall Related

Videos

Life

04_Top Stories

Latest Clips

No Wall

NTD Competitions

values

NTD Global Chinese Beauty Pageant

Miss NTD

Latest and breaking news, documentaries, movies, and lifestyle content on NTD+.
 
Empower your knowledge and elevate your spirit with NTD+, your go-to destination for truthful news, insightful documentaries, and captivating lifestyle content that enriches your life.

Morality and Virtue Make Beauty Shine Through: Fiona Ji, Miss NTD Beauty Pageant Contestant

News with integrity, from the United States and around the world. Focused reports and analyses that shed light on major issues the world deserves to know. NTD Evening News airs daily at 6 p.m. ET.

NTD Evening News

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 30)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 29)

News you can trust from the U.S. and around the world. Critical information and insight. We cover the stories that others don’t. NTD News Today airs Monday–Friday at 11 a.m. ET.

NTD News Today

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 29)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 28)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 28)

NTD Evening News Full Broadcast (July 27)

NTD News Today Full Broadcast (July 27)

Chris Beers is an NTD News anchor and political correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Chris co-anchors "NTD News Today" weekdays at 10:00 am ET.