On August 30, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, the «Experience Chongqing · Symposium on Promoting Sino-US Cultural Exchange and Cooperation» was held at the Chongqing International Reception Hall. The event was guided by the Municipal Party Committee’s Propaganda Department and hosted by the Municipal Association for Cultural Exchange with Foreign Countries. Representatives from the cultural sectors of China and the United States, community leaders, and friendly personages gathered in the mountain city to share friendship and discuss cooperation.

In his speech, the Executive Vice Minister of the Municipal Party Committee’s Propaganda Department, Director of the Municipal Film Bureau, and President of the Municipal Association for Cultural Exchange with Foreign Countries stated that this event is not only a tribute to history but also a pioneering effort for the future. He emphasized that Chongqing will continue to build high-level international exchange platforms to contribute to enhancing mutual understanding between China and the United States and promoting the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Representatives from the US side, including leaders from American Chinese community organizations, expressed in a joint speech that cultural exchange is an important bond connecting the peoples of the two countries. They expressed their willingness to actively play a bridging role and expand more practical areas of cooperation.

After signing the cooperation initiative, a certificate presentation and book donation ceremony was held on site. The President of the Municipal Association for Cultural Exchange with Foreign Countries presented an honorary vice president appointment letter to a终身教授 from the World Languages and Cultures Department of East Los Angeles College. On behalf of the US-China Peace and Friendship Promotion Association, a representative donated the work «Daughter of the Peace General» to the association.

General Chennault’s granddaughter, her husband, and the president of the American Flying Tigers Friendship Association shared touching stories about General Chennault during the War of Resistance. The granddaughter stated: «After coming here, I have become more deeply aware of how profound the bond between the Chinese people and the Flying Tigers was.»

The unveiling ceremony of the «Flying Tigers · Sino-US Friendship» sculpture brought the event to a climax. The sculpture, themed on the Flying Tigers and Sino-US friendship, was donated by the American Flying Tigers Friendship Association and will be permanently preserved in the Lianqing Building of the Chongqing Anti-War Museum—the wartime station of the Flying Tigers. The President of the Municipal Association for Cultural Exchange with Foreign Countries and US representatives jointly unveiled the sculpture, presented a donation certificate to the president of the American Flying Tigers Friendship Association, and awarded a «Chongqing · Flower of Friendship» commemorative trophy to General Chennault’s granddaughter.

During the «Experience Chongqing · Symposium on Promoting Sino-US Cultural Exchange» segment, the director of the Municipal Opera House mentioned that the opera house has introduced many high-level American music talents and hopes to bring operas such as «Fishing City,» «Goddess of Wushan,» and «Settling the Dust» to the United States for performances in the future. The deputy director of the Municipal Sichuan Opera Theatre noted that while preserving the traditional artistic genes of Sichuan Opera, the theatre strives to absorb and draw on internationally popular elements, and many Sichuan Opera works have been performed in US cities such as New York and Chicago. Representatives from both China and the United States engaged in enthusiastic discussions on specific projects for Sino-US cultural exchange, laying a solid foundation for subsequent cultural exchanges and project cooperation.

Chongqing International Reception Hall

The Chongqing International Reception Hall is a historic site built in the 1940s to host foreign diplomats and dignitaries during the Second Sino-Japanese War. It served as a crucial venue for international relations and wartime diplomacy when Chongqing was China’s provisional capital. Today, it operates as a museum preserving this significant period of modern Chinese history.

Municipal Party Committee’s Propaganda Department

The Municipal Party Committee’s Propaganda Department is a local-level administrative body of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) responsible for disseminating party policy and ideology. It operates under the guidance of the central Propaganda Department, a long-standing institution established to shape public opinion and control information. Its primary function is to ensure local media, cultural activities, and education align with the directives of the CCP.

Municipal Association for Cultural Exchange with Foreign Countries

The Municipal Association for Cultural Exchange with Foreign Countries is a local government or civic organization, common in many cities, that was established to foster international understanding and cooperation. Its history is tied to the broader movement of cultural diplomacy that grew in the 20th century, aiming to build relationships between a city’s residents and international communities through arts, education, and person-to-person exchanges.

East Los Angeles College

East Los Angeles College is a public community college founded in 1945, serving as a vital educational and cultural hub for its predominantly Hispanic community. It is historically significant for its role in the Chicano civil rights movement and for producing a high number of associate degrees for Latinx students. The campus is also home to the Vincent Price Art Museum, which features a diverse collection of works.

US-China Peace and Friendship Promotion Association

The US-China Peace and Friendship Promotion Association is a non-governmental organization dedicated to fostering mutual understanding and cooperation between the people of the United States and China. It was established to build bridges through cultural, educational, and economic exchanges. The association works to promote peace and strengthen the bilateral relationship outside of formal government channels.

American Flying Tigers Friendship Association

The American Flying Tigers Friendship Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the legacy of the American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers) who fought alongside China against Japan during World War II. It was established to foster friendship and cultural exchange between the peoples of the United States and China. The association honors this shared history through commemorative events, educational programs, and historical preservation efforts.

Chongqing Anti-War Museum

The Chongqing Anti-War Museum, located in the former site of the Allied Powers’ Far East Command during WWII, commemorates China’s resistance against the Japanese invasion. It preserves historical artifacts and documents that detail the city’s role as the provisional capital and a symbol of perseverance. The museum serves to honor the memory of the war’s victims and to educate the public about this significant period.

Lianqing Building

The Lianqing Building is a historic Western-style mansion in Gulangyu, Xiamen, China, constructed in the early 20th century. It is renowned for its elegant architectural design, which blends Minnan (Southern Fujian) decorative elements with colonial features. Today, it stands as a protected cultural relic and a popular tourist attraction symbolizing the island’s multicultural history.