GUIYANG, July 19 (Xinhua) — Visiting the dramatic hairpin highway of 24-Zig, Jeffrey Greene felt extra deeply concerning the greatness of the folks in Guizhou who constructed this important path throughout World War II.
From Sunday to Thursday, Greene, chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, led a delegation to Guizhou, tracing the historic footsteps of the Flying Tigers, often called the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, which was fashioned in 1941 by U.S. General Claire Lee Chennault to assist China in its battle in opposition to invading Japanese forces.
With a 2,000-plus demise toll, the Flying Tigers pilots shot down over 2,600 Japanese fighter planes, tremendously aiding the battle in opposition to Japanese aggression.
The 24-Zig Road, often called the “Lifeline of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression,” is a 4 km-long highway constructed in an S-shape on a slope of about 60 levels. It stays an necessary landmark of the joint efforts of the Chinese and American peoples in opposition to Japanese invaders throughout World War II.
The highway was as soon as a vital transit level for worldwide help to China, enabling numerous convoys to move provides throughout the rugged mountains of southwest China to the entrance strains.
“In 1945, the photographs of the 24-Zig Road taken by an American military photographer created a sensation worldwide. It is one of the most famous Chinese photographs during World War II,” Greene mentioned. “The purpose of our visit is to bring back the stories about this place to the United States, so that more people understand the true history behind the 24-Zig Road of Qinglong County.”
Visiting landmarks together with the 24-Zig Road, Jiuzhou Airport of Huangping County, and the Guiyang Tuyunguan Memorial to the Chinese Red Cross Medical Relief Corps within the War of Resistance in opposition to Japanese Aggression, the delegation hopes to proceed the pleasant exchanges between the Chinese and American folks.
“For over 40 years, I have longed to come here, and today, one of my dream desires has finally come true. I’ve looked at countless old photos of the American Flying Tigers in Guizhou, and now I stand in the common background of those images,” mentioned Greene.
“This place is a living history of the friendship between China and the United States,” Greene mentioned as he gazed in admiration on the undulating mountains from Jiuzhou Airport of Huangping County.
On Wednesday, the delegation visited Jiuzhou Airport. The airport was constructed over a span of 5 and a half years, using greater than 100,000 staff. During the battle, it was often called “Laohuangping Airport” and served as a big army base for the Chinese and American air forces, designated as one of many “southwest China’s central airports,” facilitating over 100 plane actions day by day.
The American Flying Tigers have been stationed right here, and their plane regularly took off and landed at this airport, taking part in main battles such because the Battle of Western Hunan and the Defense of Hengyang. The airport performed a vital function in making certain the graceful operation of the Hump airlift and stands as a testomony to the fantastic historical past of the joint efforts of China and the United States in opposition to fascism.
As one of many few airports constructed throughout the battle that’s nonetheless in operation at this time, this airport has advanced right into a common aviation base. It has preserved its unique runway, providing quick flight experiences for vacationers whereas additionally nurturing native expertise within the aviation trade.
“Here, history and modernity converge. Today, young people in China learn aviation skills and develop into future pilots. I am very pleased to see the spirit of the Flying Tigers being passed down here and contributing to local development,” mentioned Greene, who mentioned he began studying to fly on the age of 14, as he noticed varied plane from totally different Chinese or American manufacturers parked on one facet of the airport.
Next to the runway is one massive stone mill utilized by Guizhou locals throughout the airport’s development, with uneven marks harking back to that historic time. “Countless people in Guizhou built this airport with their hands, and it is their dedication and contributions that have made this airport the solid foundation of China-America friendship,” Greene expressed his admiration as he touched the mill.
Outside the doorway of the airport stands a statue of General Chennault, accomplished in 2009, gazing towards the path of departing plane.
“More than 80 years ago, Flying Tigers and Chinese soldiers and civilians used their courage and sacrifice to connect China-U.S. cooperation. Today, we continue to write a new story of friendship through education and cooperation,” Greene mentioned, standing in entrance of the statue.
“With the launch of the ‘Flying Tigers Friendship School and Youth Leadership Program,’ nearly 100 Chinese schools have paired with more than 40 American schools to foster exchanges and visits by far, allowing the spirit of the Flying Tigers to cross the Pacific and be passed down through generations,” he mentioned.
“We will bring 100 American students to come to Guizhou soon, where they will retrace the Flying Tigers’ path through the 24-Zig Road of Qinglong County and Jiuzhou Airport,” mentioned Greene.
“By feeling the history of China-U.S. cooperation, we will initiate a future dialogue between the youth of our two countries. The history of friendly exchanges between the Chinese and American people should not be forgotten, and the China-U.S. friendship needs to be passed on to our next generations,” he added.