The news conference of the TV-series The Blood Chit was held in Beijing on the afternoon of May 13, 2014. About 120 people attended the conference, including CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin, Mr. Chen Liansheng, Deputy Director General at the Publicity Department of CPC Hubei Provincial Committee, representatives from Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Culture and Ministry of Education, former US Flying Tigers Pilot Glen Beneda’s son Edward Beneda and grandson Brian Beneda, Mr. James Whitehead, Chairman of the American Flying Tigers Historical Organization, and representatives from US state offices in China and US companies in China.
The 38-episodes TV Series The Blood Chit was based on a true story of an American Flying Tigers pilot saved by Chinese people during the World WarⅡ. This TV series is co-produced by the CPAFFC, Publicity Department of CPC Hubei Provincial Committee, China International Television Corporation, China Film & Television Production Co. Ltd, and Bangqi Culture Investment Company. The crew includes famous director Guan Hu and screen-writer Zhao Dongling, and the leading characters include well known actors and actresses such as Tao Zeru, Yintao, Chen Jin and Guo Xiaodong.
The hero of the TV series is an American Flying Tigers Pilot named Glen Beneda, who is also the hero in the documentary Touching the Tigers, produced by CPAFFC. In 1944, Glen Beneda’s fighter plane was shot down by the Japanese army. After he parachuted, he was saved by the Chinese people and returned safely to the American army base. The premiere of Touching he Tigers was held in Washington DC during the Second China-US High-level Consultation on People-to people Exchange. Vice Premier Liu Yandong, then Chinese State Councilor attended the ceremony and issued the Friendship Ambassador Award to Glen Beneda’s wife Elinor Beneda.
Madam Li Xiaolin said in her speech that the TV series the Blood Chit is aimed at showing the history of cooperation between China and the U.S during World WarⅡ and the deep friendship between the two peoples by fighting shoulder to shoulder. This year marks the 35th anniversary of China-US diplomatic relations, and next year will be the 70th anniversary of the world anti-fascist war and the Chinese people’s war against Japanese aggression. This part of history of cooperation is significant to the current China-US relationship. We should be encouraged by the story of the past generations, and pass on the friendship to the future generations.
Mr. Chen Liansheng said that Glen Beneda and the story of the Blood Chit is a symbol of long-term friendship between the Chinese and American people, and stands for the deep feeling that Chinese and American people held for each other by fighting together during the anti-fascist war. We will always remember the selflessness of the old-generation revolutionary leaders, including Mr. Li Xiannian, and Mr. Liu Ruilong, which goes beyond a single people and nation. We are also touched by Chinese people’s determination to be true to their promise, to sacrifice even life to rescue the flying tigers. We should look back to this part of history, go against any kind of aggression, and cherish peace.
Edward Beneda said in his remarks “For 4-generations my family has had very kind and loving hearts toward the Chinese people. My father often said over and over throughout his life, that the Chinese people on the ground, the farmers, civilians and soldiers, were the heroes because they saved his life. This is why our family loves the Chinese people so very much. And why we cannot say thank you enough for saving him. Our family is very excited to see the "The Blood Chit," TV series, and to meet the cast and crew and the people who filmed it. This will be a great TV program, because it is a true story.”
James Whitehead said that the dream and mission of the American Flying Tigers Historical Organization is to be realized by building the Flying Tigers Historical Park in Guilin, a joint project by both people. It was this special friendship that made immediate contribution to the victory against Japanese aggressors during the World WarⅡ. We need to know more about culture, history and the present in each other’s country. We should not let obstacles decide our future.
This year marks the 35th anniversary of China-US diplomatic relations. In addition to this TV series, CPAFFC will hold many other commemorative activities. On the morning of May 13, Vice Premier Liu Yandong met with Edward Beneda and Brian Beneda, and the Chairman of American Flying Tigers Historical Organization, at the Great Hall of the People.
