Greeting cards show respect for Flying Tigers
Together with old photos and shocking videos, 140 hand-painted greeting cards by Yunnan's primary and secondary students tell the stories of China and the U.S. joining hands in blazing the "Hump Air Route". The cards also carry the Chinese teenagers’ respect for the Flying Tigers heroes and their determination to pass on the spirit of the Flying Tigers.
An old photo of the Flying Tigers
The Photo Exhibition on Old Days of Flying Tigers in Yunnan, also the Meeting on Flying Tigers & The Hump, took place in California of the U.S. on September 25, local time.
The exhibition tells origins of the Flying Tigers and the "Hump Air Route", as well as the story of the Chinese and Americans jointly fighting against the Japanese invaders in the 1940s.
An old photo of the Flying Tigers
In 1941, a large number of young American pilots, led by General Claire Lee Chennault, formed the American Volunteer Group in China. They were brave and vigorous, and Chinese people genially called them "Flying Tigers".
Far across the distance and spaces of the Asia Pacific, the Flying Tigers left an indelible mark in the course of history, encouraging Chinese and Americans to continue their friendly cooperation.
Greeting cards by Yunnan's pupils
A the event, the 140 greeting cards voluntarily hand-painted by Yunnan's primary and secondary students were conveying the gratitude of Chinese young people to the heroic Flying Tigers:
"In the Milky Way of history, your heroic deeds are like bright stars."
"May our friendship last forever, as tenacious as the spirit of the Flying Tigers."
"We’d pass on the Flying Tigers’ ethos to future generations. This is a mission and a belief in us."
Nell Calloway, granddaughter of Claire Lee Chennault, stops at the greeting cards for details.
Lai Yong, head of the Yunnan cultural exchange delegation to the U.S., said the stories of Flying Tigers are so deeply rooted in Yunnan, that people in the province remember the American heroes in various ways, carrying forward the spirit of the Flying Tigers. "This is not only a tribute to the Flying Tigers’ deeds, but also a special care for the Sino-US friendship," he observed.
Lai Yong (left) and Nell Calloway attend the event.
Nell Calloway, granddaughter of General Claire Lee Chennault, noted the stories of Flying Tigers show Americans and Chinese helped each other and cherished peace together. "On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the U.S.-China diplomatic ties, I hope the two countries could continue their friendly exchanges and cooperation," she said.
Nell Calloway speaks at the event.
By Zhu Dongran, Wang Shixue and Wang Huan