US general's enduring legacy for ties lauded

陈小将

le of the countries' history of cooperation under difficult circumstances, and how they should continue the friendship reflected by the late soldier decades ago, experts from the two sides said at a symposium on Tuesday.

China-US relations are one of the most important bilateral relations in the world today, they said, adding that General Stilwell was a bridge for friendship between the two great powers. Both sides should cherish this friendship, enhance exchanges and mutual learning, improve understanding and mutual trust through more diverse channels, and cement the foundation for bilateral ties.

Stilwell, who died in 1946 and was a four-star general in the US Army, visited China five times between 1911 and 1944 and lived in China for 12 years.

To commemorate his outstanding contribution in the joint fight of China and the US against fascist aggression during World War II, the Chongqing government converted his former residence in the city into a museum and opened it to the public in 1994.

Stilwell is the only high-ranking US military figure who has a museum dedicated to his memory in China.

Zhao Baige, vice-chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the 12th National People's Congress of China (2013-18), said she was very impressed by General Stilwell's understanding about China, his love and care for Chinese common people, and the cooperation with the Communist Party of China during the war based on his views of the Party, not ideology.

"This series of commemorating events (of Stilwell on Tuesday) have enlightened us, giving us hope when our two countries are experiencing souring relations," she said.

"I am so delighted to see the children of the family, aged from 5 to 17, come to Chongqing to witness the legacy. They are the future of the friendship between China and the US."

Zhang Jiming, vice-president of the Chinese People's Institute of Foreign Affairs, said China will never forget its old friends who have helped the Chinese people, and mutual understanding is the key to bilateral ties.

"We need to enhance mutual understanding and, in particular, have an objective and rational understanding of China and the CPC," he said.