Not long ago, the "Flying Tiger Returns Particularly Intimate" graphic exhibition and "Flying Tiger Camel Culture" themed exchange symposium hosted by Yunnan Province were held at California State Polytechnic University Pomona in the United States. Precious old photos and video materials tell the story of Chinese and American pilots fighting side by side in the war. "The story of the Flying Tigers is a symbol of the people of the United States and China keeping watch and helping each other and protecting peace together." How did the name of the Flying Tigers come from? How was the "Hump Route" established The exhibition set up five sections, including "Defending the Yunnan Myanmar Highway", "Challenging the Forbidden Area", and "Long term Friendship between the Two Peoples". The origin of the Flying Tigers and the "Hump Route", as well as the history of the Chinese and American peoples' joint fight against the Japanese invaders, were clearly presented through graphic exhibits. In 1941, under the leadership of General Chennault, a large number of young American pilots formed an American volunteer aviation team to fight against Japanese fascist aggression in China. The Chinese people affectionately called this team "Flying Tigers". In 1942, the Japanese army occupied Myanmar, cutting off China's last international channel of communication with the outside world. Flying Tigers ventured to open a new route - "Hump Route". The route crosses the the Himalayas, which is extremely difficult to fly. It is also known as "Death Route". The crashed aircraft even formed an "aluminum valley". On the day of the exhibition, visitors not only included local politicians, experts, scholars, and overseas Chinese, but also high school and college students. Many American viewers were deeply attracted by the story of the Flying Tigers and the friendship between the Chinese and American people formed by the Flying Tigers. At the beginning of the exhibition, a set of black and white photos showcase the spirited appearance of several young Flying Tigers members. Many visiting students exclaimed, 'These pilots are so cool.' The photo of Chinese and American people working together to search for transport planes attracted many people to stop. At that time, Chinese and American pilots were flying transport plane No. 53 loaded with supplies when they lost contact with the ground while flying over Pianma Pass in Gaoligong Mountain, Yunnan. After multiple searches, the wreckage of the plane was found in the 1990s. Every fragment of the plane was transported out of the deep mountains by people carrying horses and eventually restored, and a "Hump Route" museum was also established locally. Thank you for the hard work people have put in to search for and excavate this precious history, "said American high school student Jack Moore. This exhibition not only gave him a more comprehensive understanding of the history of the Flying Tigers, but also inspired him to cherish the friendship between China and the United States. After the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japan, Chinese and American veterans gathered multiple times. 2015 marks the 70th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti Fascist War. In Kunming, Chinese and American pilots flying over the "Hump Route" gathered together. The young people of that time had already become elderly people. Although they may not know each other's names, they clenched their hands and communicated fluently in English when they met. The photos and images of this scene moved many viewers. At the opening ceremony of this exhibition, General Chenault's granddaughter and director of the Chenault Air and Military Museum in the United States, Neil Chenault Carloway, carefully examined a series of historical photos. She said that the story of the Flying Tigers is a symbol of the people of the United States and China keeping watch and helping each other and protecting peace together. Without the help of the Chinese people, the Flying Tigers would not have achieved so many remarkable results. Fighting hand in hand with the Chinese people is the key to defeat the Japanese army and achieve final victory. Young people are eager to understand what happened at that time. "At the exhibition site, colorful and illustrated hand drawn cards are displayed. These cards convey the respect of Chinese teenagers for the Flying Tigers heroes and their determination to inherit the spirit of the Flying Tigers team. A card in both Chinese and English reads: "More than 80 years ago, the American Flying Tigers came all the way to China, fought side by side with the Chinese people, fought against the Japanese invaders, and forged deep friendship. After passing on from generation to generation, more than 80 years later, this friendship has been enduring, and is still remembered in the hearts of the Chinese and American people." On the other card is a powerful and lovely Flying Tiger. Above the Flying Tiger, there is a passage that reads: "Flying Tiger Hump Love, Kunming's Second Hometown. On this journey of friendship that spans time and space, we remember your bravery and sacrifice. The legend of the Flying Tiger team is like an eagle soaring over Kunming, forever soaring in our memory. Thank you for everything you have done for peace." According to Gan Yun, Executive Vice President of the Yunnan Flying Tiger Team Research Association, who organized this exhibition, the 140 hand drawn cards that came to the United States with this exhibition were created by primary and secondary school students in Kunming, Tengchong, Xiangyun, Nujiang and other places in Yunnan. From patterns such as flying tigers and peace doves to scenic spots like Cangshan, Erhai Lake, and Gaoligong Mountain, children send warm and sincere greetings through pictures and words. These cards were given to the Flying Tigers veterans and their descendants, as well as all those who have followed and loved this history. Thank you At the exhibition site, local high school student Max Li expressed his gratitude in Chinese after receiving a gift. This is a card depicting the scenery of Yunnan, flying tigers, peace doves, and the flags of China and the United States. He said that the story of the Flying Tigers is amazing, it is a symbol of cooperation and friendship between the United States and China, and people should always remember this history. Ivan Koruz, a 15-year-old student from a local high school, was deeply moved after watching the paintings given by Yunnan students to veterans of the Flying Tigers. He said that although he couldn't understand Chinese, his painting was very thoughtful and great. He hopes to visit the Flying Tigers Memorial Hall in Yunnan, China one day and gain a deeper understanding of this period of history. To my surprise, many young people came to the scene, not only students, but also parents with their children Gan Yun, who explained to the visitors, originally thought that the exhibition would be attended by some elderly people, but he found that many young people nowadays are very concerned about this period of history. "Young people are eager to understand what happened at that time. For example, in the later years, how the Chinese and American people treated the friendship forged by the Flying Tigers, and how to inherit and develop this friendship." "Inspired by their spirit of striving for lasting peace and friendship." As time goes by, the story of the Flying Tigers has been long remembered by the Chinese and American people, and inspired the two peoples to continue to write a new chapter of friendship and cooperation. Huang Hongjiang, Deputy Consul General of the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles, said that the spirit of the Flying Tigers represents the responsibility of upholding justice and defending peace, and is engraved with the precious friendship of mutual assistance and sharing weal and woe. It is hoped that the spirit of the Flying Tigers can be passed down from generation to generation between the two peoples, become a bond to enhance the lasting friendship between the two peoples, and promote the stable, healthy and sustainable development of China US relations. Neil Chennaud Carloway mentioned in his speech that this friendship was formed during the joint resistance against Japan. Many Flying Tigers veterans regard Yunnan, China as their "second hometown" in their hearts, and this kind of interaction continues to the second, third, and fourth generations. I hope that the two countries can take the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations as an opportunity to further strengthen cultural exchanges and cooperation in various fields, close exchanges between international students, entrepreneurs and other sectors of society, and continue to write more stories of friendly cooperation among the people. "Cheng Wen, Deputy Director of the Department of Civil Engineering at California State Polytechnic University Pomona, said that while commemorating the legacy of the Flying Tigers, people should also consider the importance of international cooperation, friendship and mutual respect. I hope we are not only inspired by the courage of the Flying Tigers, but also by their spirit of striving for lasting peace and friendship. Many visitors have provided feedback that they feel the communication, trust, love, and friendship between people conveyed by each photo, and feel the friendly cooperation between the Chinese and American people for common justice, "said Gan Yun. Since its establishment, the Yunnan Flying Tigers Research Association has been continuously organizing and searching for relevant literature, historical materials, and relics related to the Flying Tigers. It has also contacted the veterans and descendants of the Flying Tigers and held the theme event of "Flying Tigers Returning Especially Close" for more than a decade. The photos in this exhibition are sourced from the collection of the research association and news photos provided by the Spring City Evening News. Gan Yun stated that the research association will continue to tell the story of the Flying Tigers to more people, and at the same time, collaborate with media forces including Yunnan Provincial Press Association and Chuncheng Evening News to carry out a variety of Sino US youth exchange activities with the theme of "Flying Tiger Spirit" in various universities, promoting the deepening and implementation of Sino US people to people exchanges. (New Society)