On July 23rd, 2014, the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) held the opening ceremony and the reception of the photo exhibition "Salute to Friendship-Images Narrate China-U.S. Collaboration during World War II" at Richard Nixon Presidential Library in Yorba Linda, California. Around 100 people attended the reception, including Mme. Li Xiaolin, CPAFFC President, Mr. Liu Jian, Chinese Consul General in Los Angeles, Mr. Michael Antonovich, Los Angeles County Supervisor, Mr. Bill Baribault, Nixon Foundation President, Mr. Christopher Cox, President Nixon’s grandson, Mrs. Elinor Beneda and Mr. Edward Beneda, widow and son of former Flying Tigers pilot - Mr. Glen Beneda, as well as friends in the great Los Angeles area.

In her speech, CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin said the historical photos exhibited this time were taken by the American soldiers who were in China during World War II. The photos have vividly recorded the history over 70 years ago, and reflected the sincere friendship of mutual support and of fighting shoulder to shoulder between the Chinese and American people during World War II. Through the mirror of history, the audience could see that the love of peace, the opposition to war and the pursuit of happiness are the shared conviction of people around the world. On the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of China-U.S. diplomatic relations, and when the 70th anniversary of World Anti-Facist War is approaching, she hoped that the people of the two countries would remember the history of China-U.S. friendly relations and pass on the spirit of China-U.S. friendship to future generations, so as to make joint contribution to the building of the new type of major country relations between China and the United States. Li also praised the active role and long-time efforts of the Nixon Foundation in enhancing China-U.S. friendship and promoting people-to-people exchanges between our two countries.

President Nixon’s grandon, Mr. Christopher Cox expressed his gratitudes for the long-time support to the Nixon Foundation from President Li Xiaolin and CPAFFC. He emphasized that President Nixon once said, the stability and prosperity of China would benefit the U.S. and the world at large. He hoped that China-U.S. friendship would thrive like the redwood planted in Hangzhou by President Nixon.