CHONGQING, Jan. 20 (Xinhua) — A gaggle of younger U.S. nationals visiting southwest China’s Chongqing Municipality has highlighted the significance of sustaining the friendship between the 2 international locations, reflecting on the historical past of Chinese and U.S. troopers preventing facet by facet throughout occasions of warfare.
Two academics and 12 college students from Elon University within the United States explored the favored vacationer vacation spot of Chongqing from Tuesday to Friday. Their go to to China is a part of an initiative that’s anticipated to convey 50,000 younger individuals from the United States to China for trade and research packages over a span of 5 years.
“I think Chongqing is so interesting architecturally. There are so many impressive things that I’ve seen here,” mentioned Rahv Tupac-Yupanqui, 20, an engineering main who marveled on the trains transferring by way of buildings, and on the mountainous metropolis’s quite a few stairs.
“Last night, I took a walk through Chongqing. I simply admire the city for its architecture, its design, and the energy of people here,” mentioned Jayden Barron, one other member of the group. “It was a very lovely experience. I look forward to eventually coming back to this city one day.”
This 12 months marks the eightieth anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance in opposition to Japanese Aggression, and of the World Anti-Fascist War. Against this backdrop, the group visited the Chongqing Stilwell Museum on Friday. The Museum is called after Joseph Stilwell, a U.S. normal who helped the Chinese individuals of their struggle in opposition to Japanese aggression throughout World War II.
Located in Stilwell’s former Chongqing residence, the museum homes plentiful reveals that function a reminder of the historical past and friendship between individuals from China and the United States throughout the warfare. It is the one museum in China named after a international navy determine.
The group discovered about this historical past by way of the museum’s outdated pictures and different collections, and later participated in a seminar on China-U.S. wartime cooperation and youth friendship.
“What most impresses me is that General Stilwell was able to understand Chinese culture so well, and became such an integral part and friend of China during that time,” mentioned Kathan Gandhi, a sophomore, including that he hopes to function a bridge between the 2 international locations to hold ahead the spirit of Stilwell.
“World War II was a really scary time for our world. I am grateful for the way that China and the United States were able to collaborate and overcome this great tragedy, and I hope the world can enjoy long-lasting peace,” Tupac-Yupanqui mentioned.
“We know from the photos and documentaries that China and America have interacted so well in the past, and at present, it’s time for our generation to create a history together,” mentioned Charlottle Owens, one other scholar within the group.
Later, the visiting college students met up with a few of their Chinese friends for a pleasant desk tennis match.
“There are so many differences in the world to separate people, but in the meanwhile, there are so many similarities as well to bring us together, such as football and ping pong,” mentioned Elon scholar Peyton Fitzpatrick.
Zoe Gehtland, an artwork main, drew stick determine portraits of her new Chinese associates, who signed their names underneath their pictures, making a shared reminiscence of the expertise.
“I will cherish the friends I made on this trip and I wish our friendship lasts,” she mentioned.