Internal working platform of Yunnan Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries

The awarding ceremony and dialogue session of the "Feihu Friendship School and Youth Leader Program" was held on the 25th at the Feihu Team Memorial Hall in Kunming, with 5 new middle schools joining the "Feihu Friendship School" to promote exchanges and interactions among Chinese and American students, and to carry on the Feihu spirit.

On June 25, five middle schools in Yunnan were awarded the "Flying Tiger Teammate Friendship School" title. Photo by Luo Jie.

During World War II, the famous American general Patton led a group of American youths to formThe "American Volunteer Group" of the Chinese Air Force. They won their first battle over Kunming, becoming famous in a single engagement; later, starting from Yunnan, they flew over the Hump route to transport strategic supplies. This team was affectionately known by the Chinese people as the "Flying Tigers," and the Sino-American friendship forged by them continues to this day.

In 2022, the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation launched the "Flying Tigers Friendship School and Youth Leadership Program". Jeffrey Green, chairman of the foundation, stated that the establishment of the "Flying Tigers Friendship School" is intended to pass on the shared historical heritage of the Chinese and American peoples—the spirit of the Flying Tigers. Currently, over 120 schools in China and more than 40 schools in the United States have joined the program.

"Since 1995, I have visited Yunnan over a hundred times, and each time I see these historical materials, I gain new insights," said Green. He added that the spirit embodied by the Flying Tigers remains relevant today: only by holding hope, respecting each other, staying true to our original intentions, and walking hand in hand can China and the United States create a future of lasting peace for all humanity.

On June 25, Jeffrey Green, Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, and representatives of Yunnan's teachers and students visited the Kunming Flying Tigers Memorial Hall located at the Kunming Museum. Photo by Luo Jie.

Wang Yu, a full-time vice president of the Yunnan Provincial People's Association for Foreign Friendship, stated that the province currently has a plaque forSeven "Flying Tigers Friendship Schools" can bring the history of the Flying Tigers into the classroom through activities such as historical education and themed field trips. Taking this as an opportunity, they will strengthen inter-school cooperation and carry out activities such as exchanges between Chinese and American teachers and students, academic exchanges, and cultural experiences, thereby ensuring the Flying Tigers spirit is passed down through generations. The Yunnan Provincial People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries is willing to build more new platforms for Chinese and American people-to-people exchanges with the China-US Aviation Heritage Foundation, using the "Flying Tigers" as a bond.

At the event, Green presented the plaques to the First Senior High School of Mengzi City, the First High School of Dali in Yunnan Province, the First High School of Xishuangbanna Prefecture, the First High School of Baoshan in Yunnan Province, and the First High School of Lushi City.