China has thrown its support behind an American teenager who was at the centre of an internet storm after she posted images of herself wearing a traditional Chinese dress.

Keziah Daum, who has no Chinese roots, was heavily criticised in her native United States after sharing images on Twitter of her wearing a Chinese qipao dress to her school prom.

Some people accused the 18-year-old of "cultural appropriation", and a post from Twitter user Jeremy Lam - which was shared more than 42,000 times - declared: " My culture is NOT your goddamn prom dress."

Ms Daum, however, refused to delete the post of her wearing the dress, which was red and embroidered with gold and black, and many in China backed her decision.

"I am very happy she has chosen to wear a qipao," said one comment on Sina Weibo, China's version of Twitter. "It means that she thinks our culture is beautiful."

"I think she looks stunning. And if Western people are saying that she can't wear Chinese clothes, does that mean Chinese people can't wear Western clothing - such as a wedding dress? That would be stupid."