Flying Tigers foundation revisits military cooperation legacy in Shanxi

Jeffrey Greene, chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, and his delegation recently arrived in Shanxi province to revisit the friendship between the Flying Tigers and the Chinese military and civilians.  

During the trip, he commended Shanxi's positive efforts in preserving the history of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and promoting international educational exchanges. He noted that the Chinese people are well-acquainted with the stories of Sino-US cooperation during World War II.

Eighty years ago, the people of China and the United States, through joint efforts and wisdom, proved that they could overcome all difficulties and obstacles hand in hand. This spirit of cooperation deserves to be passed down from generation to generation, Greene said.

He stated that in today's interconnected world, the contemporary value of the Flying Tigers spirit has become increasingly prominent, inspiring both sides to transcend differences and work together to achieve common goals.

He expressed the hope that more schools in Shanxi would join the Flying Tigers Friendship Schools program. Through online and offline exchanges, student visits, themed competitions and other forms, mutual understanding and friendship between Chinese and American teenagers will grow, so that the Flying Tigers spirit can be passed on among young people in the new era, he said.

Shanxi was an important battlefield in the war, and was once the headquarters of the Eighth Route Army and home to several revolutionary bases. During their visit, Greene and his delegation stopped at Taiyuan University of Technology and Shanxi Experimental Secondary School, where they learned about the schools' distinctive features and international exchange work. They also spoke with teachers and students on topics such as the history of the Flying Tigers, cultural differences between China and the US, and people-to-people exchanges among teenagers.

Ma Xiaomin, deputy director-general of the Foreign Affairs Office of Shanxi Province, said that the Flying Tigers spirit is a historical witness to the joint struggle and mutual assistance between the people of China and the US, and is also a precious spiritual asset that preserves the friendship between the two peoples.

Ma said that his office support schools in the province in joining Flying Tigers Friendship Schools. They hope that with this program as a link, a solid bridge for exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and American teenagers will be built, the great Flying Tigers spirit will be carried forward, and more practical cooperation between Shanxi and the US in education, culture, and other fields will be promoted, so as to contribute Shanxi's strength to enhancing non-governmental friendship between the two nations.

Huang Yibo contributed to this story.