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

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


Cary Dunst

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

Smart Spending: How to Save on Summer Travel

UAE Suffered More Iranian Missiles Than Israel, Paving Way for Iron Dome: Analyst

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


NTD Newsroom

Washington Event to Rededicate US as ‘One Nation Under God’

Best-Selling Author Concerned Christians May Be Next in China’s State-Sanctioned Organ Trade

Jason Perry is an Army veteran and NTD's National Security Correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Jason primarily covers border security, national defense, foreign wars, and veterans' issues.

Jason Perry

Pentagon Paves the Way to Buy 10,000 Containerized Missiles

US Reports No Hantavirus Cases From Cruise Outbreak

Juliette Fairley is a freelance reporter for NTD and The Epoch Times and a graduate of Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. Born in Chateauroux, France, and raised outside of Lackland Air Force Base in Texas, Juliette is a well-adjusted military brat. She has written for many publications across the country. Send Juliette story ideas at JulietteFairley@gmail.com

Juliette Fairley

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

US News

Politics

Executive Branch

Rubio: China is ‘Top Geopolitical Challenge’

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

The Associated Press

Jury Awards $49.5 Million to Family of Woman Killed in 2019 Boeing Max Crash

Andrew Moran has been writing about business, economics, and finance for more than a decade. He is the author of "The War on Cash."

Andrew Moran

China News

Trump Departs China After 2-Day Talks With Xi

Haika Mrema

Medical Plane Crash in New Mexico Mountains Kills 4, Sparks Wildfire

Accommodating, Enabling China’s Regime a Failed Strategy: China Expert

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 15)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 14)

Kevin Hogan is an NTD News data reporter and national correspondent based at the network's global headquarters in New York City. Kevin covers breaking news, as well as U.S. and global current events. He conveys the news through data visualizations and investigates pressing issues.

Kevin Hogan

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 13)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 12)

President Trump Leaves for China Today; Calif. Mayor to Plead Guilty to Acting as CCP Agent | NTD Good Morning (May 12)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 8)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 7)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 6)

NTD Good Morning Full Broadcast (May 5)

Fast, compelling, first-hand news from China. China in Focus airs Monday–Friday at 8 p.m. ET.

China in Focus

China Sends Warships to Pacific Drill as Tensions With Japan Rise

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

2 US Embassy Personnel Assigned to Cartel Case Killed in Car Accident

Gunman Kills 8 Children, Including 7 of His Own, in Louisiana Mass Shooting

Flora Hua is a reporter based at NTD's global headquarters in New York City, where she covers China news, U.S.-China relations, and human rights issues. Flora primarily contributes to NTD's "China in Focus."  

Flora Hua

Trump: Seized Iranian Ship May Have ‘A Gift From China’

Joseph Lord is a congressional reporter for The Epoch Times.


Joseph Lord

Aldgra Fredly is a freelance writer covering U.S. and Asia Pacific news for The Epoch Times.

Aldgra Fredly

Former NYC Mayor Rudy Giuliani Hospitalized in Critical Condition: Spokesman

Wildfires Across Georgia and Florida Have Destroyed Nearly 50 Homes and Are Forcing Evacuations

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

US Warns of China Hacks via Routers, Smart Devices

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

2 Americans Among Suspected Communist Rebels Killed in Clashes With Troops, Philippine Officials Say

Ryan Morgan is a reporter for The Epoch Times focusing on military and foreign affairs. He was previously a news writer for NTD. 


Ryan Morgan

Mari Otsu is NTD's White House correspondent based in Washington. 

Mari Otsu

World News

Middle East

Iran

3 US Warships Fend Off Iranian Attacks, Trump Says Ceasefire Still Holds

Health News

3 Dead in Suspected Hantavirus Outbreak on Cruise Ship in Atlantic Ocean: WHO

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.