On September 3, 2024, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng delivered remarks at the opening ceremony of “Remember the Heroes — Historical Photo Tour of the Flying Tigers (Nanjing)” via video link.

Ambassador Xie said that in a reply letter to Chairman Greene, Mr. Moyer and Mr. McMullen on September 12 last year, President Xi Jinping spoke highly of the historical contributions of the Flying Tigers in assisting China in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression and the profound friendship forged between the two peoples, and expressed his hope that the spirit of the Flying Tigers will be carried on from generation to generation.

Nearly 80 years after the end of the WWII, China is still helping to search for the remains of U.S. troops who assisted China. To date, nearly 500 Flying Tigers veterans and hundreds of their family members have visited China. We welcome the 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.

Noting that this photo exhibition will also be held in Changting and Changsha aside from Nanjing, Ambassador Xie encouraged the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation and other organizations to hold more similar events in the United States as well, to tell the story of the Flying Tigers to the public, and continue playing a positive role in enhancing exchanges between our two peoples and deepening our time-honored friendship.   

Ambassador Xie pointed out that the story of the Flying Tigers has also told us that peace has not come easy and must be preserved with joint efforts. In the era of war, our two countries fought side by side for peace and justice; in the era of peace, we have only the shared responsibility for upholding peace, and no single reason to engage in conflict or confrontation. We should be responsible for history, for the people and for the world, and find a right way for our two countries to get along in the spirit of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation.

Ambassador Xie said it is his hope and belief that more and more Flying Tigers members of the new generation will take over the baton, write new stories of friendship and cooperation, and contribute to the stable, sound and sustainable development of China-U.S. relations, so that the spirit of the Flying Tigers will continue to shine in the new era.

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