She was the 1994 Asian Games All-Around Champion, a finalist on balance beam at the 1994 and 1995 World Gymnastics Championships, and competed at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta – where she placed 11th in the individual All-Around and 4th with the team during Team Finals.

Despite a disappointing showing at the 1994 American Cup, Qiao began her international career on a high: beating her more widely known teammate, Mo Huilan, to the individual All-Around title at the 1994 Asian Games.

At these championships Qiao also placed first with her team and finished with a silver medal on balance beam.

At the 1994 World Championships Qiao had moderate success – finishing 10th in the individual all-around and making the balance beam final.

[1] After their impressive showing at the 1995 Worlds many gymnastics fans and experts expected the Chinese to challenge the United States, Romania and Russia for the team title.