On March 28, Chinese Vice Premier Liu Yandong attended and launched the opening of the Flying Tiger Guilin Heritage Park in Guilin, southwest China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. Over 300 Chinese and American guests attended the ceremony, including Secretary Peng Qinghua of CPC Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Committee, Deputy Secretary General Jiang Xiaojuan of the State Council, Vice Minister Lu Xin of Education, Vice Minister Chen Gaihu of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission, Vice Minister Tan Tianxing of the State Council Overseas Chinese Affairs Office, Assistant Foreign Minister Zheng Zeguang, CPAFFC Vice President Xie Yuan, Secretary Zhao Leqin of CPC Guilin Municipal Committee, Mayor Zhou Jiabin of Guilin, Chairman James Whitehead of the American Flying Tigers Historical Organization (FTHO) and Honorary President Florence Fang of FTHO, US Consul General Jennifer Galt in Guangzhou, Air Attaché Michael Marble of the US Embassy in China, 91-year-old Flying Tiger veteran JV Vinyard, Cynthia Chennault, daughter of General Chennault and Nell Calloway, granddaughter of General Chennault.

Before the opening ceremony, Vice Premier Liu Yandong held a meeting with the key members of the US delegation. She said that this year marks the 70th anniversary of the Victory of World’s Anti-Fascist War and the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. China and the US fought side by side during the war as alliance and made great contribution to the final victory of the World’s Anti-Fascist War. The heroic stories of the Flying Tigers and the American people assisting China are immortal and will always be remembered. Vice Premier Liu reiterated that tremendous changes have taken place in the international situation and we are still faced with many common challenges. The cooperation between China and the US is not only in the interests of the two peoples, but also bears important significance to the world peace and development.

In his address at the ceremony, Vice President Xie Yuan pointed out that the Flying Tiger Guilin Heritage Park is the best commemoration and tribute to the history of Chinese and American peoples fighting together against brutality for justice and peace. Chinese people will always remember the contributions made by the US and the other countries to the Chinese People’s War against Japanese Aggression. We shall work together to carry forward the spirit of cooperation and make continuous contributions to building a new model of China-US major country relationship.

When speaking at the ceremony, Gen. Whitehead held that by dedicating the Flying Tiger Heritage Park, we are honoring the joint friendship by Americans and Chinese which was forged during the darkest days of WWⅡ. The cooperative spirit is vital to the development of our bilateral relationship. The Chinese people have never forgotten the Flying Tigers, nor have the Flying Tigers forgotten the sacrifices made by the Chinese people. He also expressed great gratitude to the support from all levels of Chinese governments over the past nine years and hoped that more Americans and Chinese will visit the heritage park and cherish the history and friendship between the two countries. He quoted lines from CPAFFC President Li Xiaolin’s speech on the Chinese dream of happiness and peace, “The dream of peace is also the dream of the world. To transcend civilization differences and join hands to work together is the only choice for us to realize our dreams.”

After the opening ceremony, Chinese and American guests toured the park.

The Flying Tiger Guilin Heritage Park started construction in July 2011. Located at the former site of Yang Tang Airport, it has such historical relics as the Command Post Cave, Observing Stone of General Chennault, and aircraft bunkers. It is the only existing command post of the Flying Tigers in China. The American Flying Tigers Historical Organization donated over 300 historic items to the Park such as military uniforms, medals, and photos related to the Flying Tigers.