Diversity, world peace event held in Houston to mark 70th anniversary of end of WWII

Houston, the fourth largest city in the United States, held on Saturday night the Diversity and World Peace event to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II (WWII) at the downtown baseball stadium Minute Maid Park.

Organized by the Houston-based Southern News Group, the event attracted about 25,000 performers and audience from the United States and the rest of the world, including some high-level entertainment groups from China.

Southern News Group Chairman Wea H. Lee, U.S. Congressman Al-Green, Texas House Representative Gene Wu, China's Consul General in Houston Li Qiangmin and Flying Tigers (U.S. and Chinese pilots fighting in China during WWII) commander Claire Lee Chennault's granddaughter Nell Calloway attended the grand opening ceremony.

A number of WWII veterans were honored with medals to thank them for their participation and sacrifice in the war 70 years ago.

Like other celebrities, Lee said that history could not be forgotten and the tragedy of war must be remembered.

"Peace is better than war and we are working together for a brighter and more peaceful world environment," he said, "The commemorative event will write an important memorable chapter in the history of the development of the diverse city of Houston, Texas."

Al-Green told Xinhua that the relationship between the United States and China is so important that they must continue to work together.

"As a result of the meeting between the presidents of our two countries in September, we are trying our very best to make sure that China and the United States can grow and prosper together," he added.

Calloway, also director of Chennalt Aviation & Military Museum, told Xinhua that U.S.-China ties are the most important in the world today and the two countries fought together in WWII and they should work together for a better peaceful world.

"I think my grandfather would be so grateful. You know he wrote a book in 1949 and concluded by saying that it is my fondest hope that the sign of the Flying Tigers will remain aloft just as long as it is needed and that it will always be remembered on both shores of the Pacific as the symbol of our two great peoples working toward a common goal in war and peace," she said.

Many wonderful cultural programs were performed by groups from local communities and different countries, while Chinese artists outshined others by performing impressive Peking Opera, acrobat and Thousand Hands Buddhist. Endi