Flying Tigers' spirit 'a common treasure'
By: By YIFAN XU in Washington
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Flying Tigers' spirit 'a common treasure'
A Flying Tigers delegation from the US pays tribute to anti-Japanese aviation martyrs in Nanjing, in China's Jiangsu province, on Tuesday. On the same day, the memorial hall announced the addition of the name of Jack Hammel, a Flying Tiger pilot, to the monument. YANG BO/CHINA NEWS SERVICE
China's ambassador to the United States said that the spirit of the Flying Tigers "has been, and will continue to be, a common treasure of China and the United States".
Ambassador Xie Feng also said that he hopes "more Flying Tigers members of the new generation "will "write new stories of friendship and cooperation".
The Flying Tigers, established in 1941 by US General Claire Lee Chennault, were officially known as the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force. They traveled to China to assist in the defense against the invading Japanese forces from 1941 to 1945.
Xie delivered his remarks via video link at the Remember the Heroes — Historical Photo Tour of the Flying Tigers (Nanjing) opening ceremony held in Nanjing Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hall, in East China's Jiangsu province. The exhibition showcases approximately 180 photographs and more than 100 cultural relics, including General Chennault's medals.
Xie said the spirit of the Flying Tigers is about upholding justice and defending peace, helping each other and uniting as one, as well as valuing and renewing the two nations' friendship.
He said that President Xi Jinping spoke highly of the historical contributions of the Flying Tigers in assisting China in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the profound friendship forged between the two peoples.
Xie said that China is still helping to search for the remains of US service members who assisted China. "To date, nearly 500 Flying Tigers veterans and hundreds of their family members have visited China nearly 80 years after the end of World War II.
"We welcome the Flying Tigers veterans to come back to China often, and jointly support the Flying Tigers Friendship School and Youth Leaders Program and President Xi's initiative of inviting 50,000 young Americans to China on exchange and study programs in the next five years," Xie said.
"We expect more similar events to be held in the United States as well, to tell the story of the Flying Tigers to the public and continue enhancing exchanges between our two peoples and deepening our time-honored friendship."
China also released for the first time a list of 2,590 anti-Japanese aviation martyrs from the US, most of whom were from the Flying Tigers, according to the Nanjing memorial hall.
Xie mentioned "a special ceremony" for the addition of the name of Lieutenant Jack Hammel, a Flying Tigers pilot "who gave his life in China".
According to the Xinhua News Agency, Hammel, a pilot from Michigan, died at the age of 23 on July 25, 1945, in China's Jiangxi province, after his fighter plane was hit by Japanese ground fire.
In 2017, Hammel's family and friends visited the memorial hall but couldn't find his name. Hammel's identity was confirmed with assistance from the Chinese embassy in the United States, the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation and other institutions and his name was added to the monument.
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My wife and I live in Chongqing, a city state that was known previously as Chunking, the base of the Flying Tigers. The home of Gerneral Joseph Stilwell (a/k/a Vinegar Joe) in Chongqing has been made into a museum to honour the American Flying Tigers. Very often the remaining living American Flying Tigers and their families come to China for a celebration of their courage and ability in fighting the invading Japanese. Here is a story and video of the museum and the American Flying Tiger families.
Chongqing salutes General Stilwell's lasting legacy
LINK -> Chongqing salutes General Stilwell's lasting legacy - Chinadaily.com.cn
About 16 years ago I visited the Flying Tiger museum in Chongqing, and met and spoke with one of the original Chinese Flying Tiger pilots who flew cargo planes "over the hump" (the mountains) on the way to Burma (now known as Myanmar). The photo behind me on the right is of that pilot standing beside me and his wife and child taken during WW2.
Cool story. The American people and the Chinese people are not enemies.
You're right, even though your government and politicians are trying hard to create animosity, I guess for political points. I'm sure you know why I stated that caveat, I've explained it often enough here. But on a people-to-people basis, the people do appreciate each other, and anyone who has been here will know it's true. In the event, and I do agree with Alan Lichtman's prediction, that Walz becomes VP, I'm looking forward to what he will do about China. He has had considerable experience in China, including teaching English same as me, and from what I've seen of his comments and criticisms so far, I tend to agree with him.
Now that I've seen what his attitude is towards the Hamas vicious murdering terrorists, I'm no longer so sure about Walz. If he hasn't got the balls to stand up against The Squad's support for terrorists, he hasn't got the balls to be VP.