The commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese people's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War was recently held in Beijing with great solemnity, and foreign guests were invited to attend. In an interview with Wen Wei Po, Cynthia Chennault, daughter of Claire Lee Chennault, founder of the "Flying Tigers," stated that during her father's time in China, he was deeply moved by the bravery, tenacity, and resilience of the Chinese people.
According to her, the contributions of the Chinese people to the World Anti-Fascist War are deserving of eternal remembrance. Currently, as the international situation grows increasingly tense, there is an even greater need to emphasize international cooperation.
In the view of Nell Calloway, granddaughter of Claire Lee Chennault, safeguarding peace is a crucial message conveyed by this commemorative event. She told Wen Wei Po that the event not only commemorates the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War but also reminds people that war ultimately solves no problems. She emphasized the need to strive to maintain peace and pass on the lesson that war is immensely destructive to future generations.
A decade ago, in 2015, Cynthia Chennault also participated in the 70th-anniversary commemorative activities of the victory in the War of Resistance alongside her mother, Anna Chan Chennault. She noted that compared to a decade ago, the world situation today is even more tense, with geopolitical and economic issues becoming more complex. Thus, there is now an even greater need to stress international cooperation.
Key to improving China-U.S. relations lies in people
Regarding China-U.S. relations, Calloway emphasized that the answer to improving bilateral ties is actually quite simple: it lies with the people. It is essential to let American children come to China and Chinese children go to the United States, to see each other's countries and people with their own eyes, "and really see that maybe we're not as bad as sometimes they think we are, and vice versa."
Calloway also shared from her personal experience that when she and her mother first came to China, they had certain prejudices and expectations about what it might be like, but the reality was entirely different. "We came away feeling completely different."
Chinese people's resilience and unwavering belief in victory
Cynthia Chennault mentioned that a few years ago, she read the unpublished memoir of a U.S. official, which recounted the backstory of Chennault's establishment of the "Flying Tigers." The memoir revealed that when Chennault was lobbying the U.S. government to assign pilots and provide assistance to China, he stated that after arriving in China, he found that the Chinese people possessed a resilience and an unwavering belief in victory—they would not surrender and were determined to win the war.
Calloway noted that when her grandfather left his family to come to China, her mother was only nine years old. Her grandfather initially thought this assignment would last only three months. In letters to his family, he wrote about his 4,500-mile journey of inspection, during which he witnessed firsthand the suffering of the Chinese people under the brutality of the enemy. About six weeks later, he voluntarily offered to assist China.
Cynthia Chennault stated that during his time in China, Chennault developed a deep respect for the Chinese people and formed lifelong friendships with countless Chinese officers.
To ensure more people learn about Chennault and the story of the "Flying Tigers," the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum was officially opened to the public in Monroe, Louisiana, USA, in 2000. As the museum's curator, Calloway has always held a wish: for more people to understand the historical facts about what happened in China before the U.S. entered World War II. In her view, China's crucial role in the World Anti-Fascist War has not received sufficient recognition. Calloway noted that to help the "Flying Tigers" build runways and repair them after Japanese bombings, many Chinese people gave up their livelihoods and even sacrificed their lives.
Fought side by side with Chinese people
Recalling the early days of the museum, Calloway mentioned that many WWII veterans were still alive at the time, and she had in-depth conversations with them. These veterans were profoundly grateful to the Chinese people because they knew that the Chinese people had risked their lives to help them. In the veterans' accounts, they described those years as "fighting side by side, as close as brothers." They referred to the Chinese people as "brothers" and saw each other as family striving for a common goal.
Calloway told the reporter that there has never been a shortage of efforts on both the Chinese and American sides to convey goodwill and promote cooperation. She emphasized that we should learn from history and resolutely prevent the tragedy of war from repeating itself.
She noted that her grandfather once said that war can only solve problems of the past but creates new problems for the future—war fundamentally solves nothing.
Bridges of communication
Calloway firmly believes that every participant in war is, at heart, an ordinary person, sharing a common desire for peace and a better life.
The same is true for the Chinese people, Calloway said, and for the people of every country in the world. This makes better communication between us essential. When more people realize that honest dialogue can promote mutual understanding and resolve differences, war can be avoided. She hopes that in the future, the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum will not just be a museum but also an institution for dialogue, where people can come and engage in more candid conversations.
(With input from Wen Wei Po; English Editor: Darius)
Related News:
Comment