US general's enduring legacy for ties lauded
By: By TAN YINGZI in Chongqing
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
US general's enduring legacy for ties lauded
General Joseph Stilwell (center) talks to soldiers in Chongqing. CHONGQING STILWELL MUSEUM
With China and the United States facing frosty bilateral relations in recent years, commemorations marking the 140th anniversary of the birth of US Army General Joseph Stilwell remind people of the countries' history of cooperation under difficult circumstances, and how they should continue the friendship reflected by the late soldier decades ago, experts from the two sides said at a symposium on Tuesday.
China-US relations are one of the most important bilateral relations in the world today, they said, adding that General Stilwell was a bridge for friendship between the two great powers. Both sides should cherish this friendship, enhance exchanges and mutual learning, improve understanding and mutual trust through more diverse channels, and cement the foundation for bilateral ties.
Stilwell, who died in 1946 and was a four-star general in the US Army, visited China five times between 1911 and 1944 and lived in China for 12 years.
To commemorate his outstanding contribution in the joint fight of China and the US against fascist aggression during World War II, the Chongqing government converted his former residence in the city into a museum and opened it to the public in 1994.
Stilwell is the only high-ranking US military figure who has a museum dedicated to his memory in China.
Zhao Baige, vice-chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the 12th National People's Congress of China (2013-18), said she was very impressed by General Stilwell's understanding about China, his love and care for Chinese common people, and the cooperation with the Communist Party of China during the war based on his views of the Party, not ideology.
"This series of commemorating events (of Stilwell on Tuesday) have enlightened us, giving us hope when our two countries are experiencing souring relations," she said.
"I am so delighted to see the children of the family, aged from 5 to 17, come to Chongqing to witness the legacy. They are the future of the friendship between China and the US."
Zhang Jiming, vice-president of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, said China will never forget its old friends who have helped the Chinese people, and mutual understanding is the key to bilateral ties.
"We need to enhance mutual understanding and, in particular, have an objective and rational understanding of China and the CPC," he said.
Objective evaluation
"In the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45), General Stilwell advocated an objective evaluation of the role of the CPC. His courage still offers important enlightenment for today's Sino-US relations," he said.
Chas W. Freeman Jr, former US assistant secretary of defense, visited Chongqing in 1994, when he accompanied then-US secretary of defense William Perry to inaugurate the Stilwell museum.
"To me, Vinegar Joe (General Stilwell's nickname) personifies all the Americans who did their best to help China, when it most needed help.
"He and the museum dedicated to him symbolize a shared Sino-American history of cooperation under difficult circumstances, and inspire hope for renewed cooperation in the face of challenges and the common interests," he said.
Jan Berris, vice-president of the National Committee on US-China Relations in New York, recalled her interactions with the two daughters of General Stilwell, Nancy and Allison, who shared the desire to carry on their father's devotion to China and to promote positive and friendly relations between the Chinese and US peoples.
The two countries can overcome the current challenges through "hard work, commitment and mutual respect", Berris said.
"We are at a very difficult time in Sino-American relations. Events such as today's celebration remind us of the depth and breadth of the relations between our two countries and how much they need to be nurtured.
"The Stilwell family's devotion provides a wonderful example to us all of how deep and abiding and important such friendship can be."
BUZZ NOTE: This preciously posted seed (LINK -> https://thenewstalkers.com/buzz-of-the-orient/group_discuss/18783/chongqing-salutes-general-stilwells-lasting-legacy ) should be checked out when you finish reading the one above.
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The whole world would benefit, as would both the USA and China, if they could return to the good relationship they had during WW2.
This is a great way to open a discussion on what I consider to be one of the most fascinating chapters of history: The War in the Pacific.
Let us begin with General Stilwell, the General who was left with an almost impossible task during the darkest period of WWII.
How do we rate him looking back?
I don't think "Vinegar Joe" was appreciated by America as much as US Major General Claire Lee Chennault who commanded The Flying Tigers. I think the Chinese peope preferred Stilwell.
"Vinegar Joe" had the respect and admiration of the rank and file GI's and Chinese troops doing the fighting while Chenault was admired and supported by Chang Kai Shek and his wife. Stilwell and Chenault detested each other.
Right. That's what I've read.
I think you are right. One would expect the Chinese to feel the same way. After all, in WWII, let us face it, the Chinese army, though large was the ineptest of any army in the world and barely had a functioning air force. Those 80-90 individuals who volunteered for the Flying Tigers proved to be a potent force early in the war.
When I was at the Stilwell Museum about 16 years ago I met one of the original Chinese Flying Tiger pilots who flew military cargo "over the hump" i.e. over the mountains to Burma (now known as Myanmar). Behind me is a poster of him in uniform and his family back during the war.
Great picture Buzz and great story. You do get around!
At that early stage of the war those pilots & aircraft were among the best the allies had in the Pacific theatre. The Brits were busy defending their homeland from the Luftwaffe and had only the least effective planes assigned to the colonies of India, Burma and Malaysia. (Notice I still call it Burma) The US was cut off from the Philippines, and the Dutch were quickly on their heels trying to defend what I still like to refer to as The Dutch East Indies.
PS
I heard a rumor that Chinese history books are being changed to now list the start of the Japanese/China War as beginning when Japan attacked Manchuria. Was Manchuria a holding of China in the 1930's?
I don't know the history about Manchuria. All I know are the 2 candidate movies.
Can you tell us anything about them?
Here are IMDb links to the 2 movies. You can watch the trailers and read the storylines.
LINK ->
LINK ->
And now it's 10:30 p.m. and I'm going to bed.
Thanks. Have a good night.
Thanks, Vic and Ed. I did.