Flying Tigers photo exhibit wall tells of U.S.-China friendship

LOS ANGELES, March 24 (Xinhua) -- A photo exhibition wall was unveiled Saturday in the western U.S. city of Los Angeles in salutation to American volunteers and telling of U.S.-China friendship as the two countries joined force to fight against Japanese aggressors during World War II.

The exhibition entitled "Flying Tigers, U.S. -- China Fighting Together," showcased the story about the First American Volunteer Group, nicknamed the Flying Tigers, founded by General Claire Lee Chennault.

Historical photos, including Chinese and American pilots gathering together in front of a fighter plane, and a Thank You letter from Chennault to Chinese military leader Zhu De for his troops rescuing Flying Tigers, will be permanently displayed at the Proud Bird Food Bazaar and Events Center near the Los Angeles International Airport.

Organized by American Flying Tigers Communication Association and U.S.-China Peace and Friendship Promotion Committee, the event attracted hundreds of visitors from both countries. All the photos on display were collected from various sources including museums, private foundations and individuals.

Addressing the ceremony, Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles Zhang Ping noted that Chinese people will never forget the sacrifices by the U.S. heroes of the Flying Tigers during the World War II.

"Today, as we revisit this part of history, commemorate the virtue of the Flying Tigers, it comes more important that we need to inherit this legacy and make sure that such friendship will be passed on from generation to generation," he added.

"It is my fondest hope that the sign of the Flying Tiger 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 two great peoples working toward a common goal in war and peace," Nell Chennault Calloway, CEO of Chennault Aviation and Military Museum, adduced a quotation from her grandfather, General Chennault, in her speech.

"We have a lot of young people here, they are learning about the time that we fought together side by side as brothers, they are learning how we are able to defeat the imperial Japanese army, but also they are learning about the friendship we had during the time of war," She told Xinhua, adding that China and the United States must become partners in the 21st Century.

"Remembering history is to open up a better future," said Xu Shaoli, president of American Flying Tigers Communication Association.

The Flying Tigers helped China fight against Japanese aggressor troops, destroying over 2,600 Japanese planes and 44 warships at the cost of losing 563 planes and over 1,500 lives of crew members during the fight. Enditem