Experience China—A Symphony of Stories on China-U.S. People-to-People Friendship Held at Chinese Embassy in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., August 27, 2025 — On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War, “Experience China—A Symphony of Stories on China-U.S. People-to-People Friendship” was solemnly held at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the United States. The program was jointly organized by the State Council Information Office of China, the Chinese Embassy in the United States, and the Consulate General of China in New York, and co-hosted by China International Communications Center and the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation.
Blending symphonic music with immersive storytelling, the event revisited the shared history of Chinese and American people fighting side by side during World War II, paying tribute to the profound friendship forged in those turbulent years and reaffirming the shared commitment to safeguarding peace.
The evening began with the Ningbo Symphony Orchestra’s performance of “The Lament of the Yellow River” from The Yellow River Cantata. Ambassador Xie Feng of China and Jeffrey Greene, Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, delivered remarks, stressing the importance of remembering the joint contributions of China and the United States in the anti-fascist war, cherishing people-to-people friendship as the foundation of bilateral relations, and working together for lasting peace.
A series of musical storytelling segments followed, highlighting moving episodes of wartime solidarity:
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“Chinese People Will Never Forget”: Cao Lin, Director of Exhibitions at the Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, and Chris Magee, descendant of Reverend John Magee, revisited the unforgettable history of the Nanjing Massacre. The Ningbo Symphony Orchestra performed The Broad Bean Song and Empathy.
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“Let Peace Be Our Eternal Pursuit”: Cui Shutian, translator of Chinese Escapade and Director of the Research Center on Japanese Internment Camps at Weifang Nursing Vocational College, shared the humanitarian spirit of wartime. The orchestra performed Antonín Dvořák’s String Quartet No.12 in F major, Op. 96, “American,” II. Lento.
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“Quzhou—A Lasting Home for the Doolittle Raiders”: Tong Lijuan, Director of the Quzhou Doolittle Raid Memorial Hall, together with Mr. and Mrs. Kantenberger, descendants of Rodney Ross Wilder, co-pilot of No. 5 bomber in the Doolittle Squadron, recalled the stories of Chinese civilians rescuing American airmen. The orchestra performed Samuel Barber’s Adagio for Strings Op.11a and Song Bie (Dreaming of Home and Mother).
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“My Story with a Flying Tigers C-47 Transport Aircraft”: Zhuge Ya, Director of the Information Office of the Guilin Municipal People’s Government, shared the experience of restoring a Flying Tigers C-47 aircraft. The Ningbo Symphony Orchestra performed Song of Riddles and Mo Li Hua (Jasmine Flower).
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“A Friendship Across the Pacific”: Gao Demin, son of Flying Tigers nurse Huang Huanxiao (Rita Wong) and Board Member of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, together with Jesse Millett, grandson of Flying Tigers army medic Clinton Millett, shared touching memories of life-and-death friendship across the Pacific. The orchestra performed Warming the World with Our Love.
The event also featured the photo exhibition “Fighting Side by Side : Chinese and American People in the War Against Fascism”, further illustrating the invaluable history of bilateral cooperation.
The evening concluded with a chorus of Auld Lang Syne, symbolizing enduring friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.
More than 200 guests from both countries attended the event, including Minister Jing Quan of the Chinese Embassy, Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation chairman Jeffrey Greene and his wife, and Honorary Vice Chairman of the Foundation, Chair of the Board of Mebo Group, Lili.
