Internal working platform of Yunnan Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries

On July 5, the closing ceremony of the "Chinese Bridge - 'Flying Tigers' Theme US Youth in China Summer Camp" was held at the 4K studio of Yunnan Radio and Television. Leaders including Jeffrey Green, Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation; Ding Liguo, Director of the Exchange Department of the Center for Chinese and Foreign Language Exchange and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education; Hu Jinming, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Yunnan Normal University; Zhao Derong, Deputy Director of the Yunnan Provincial Department of Education, member of the Party Leadership Group, and member of the Provincial Party Education and Labor Work Committee; and Li Xiaofeng, member of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of Yunnan Radio and Television, attended the ceremony.

"Chinese Bridge - 'Flying Tigers' Themed American Youth in China Summer Camp" Closing Ceremony

On September 12, 2023, in his reply to the Chairman of the US-China Aviation Heritage Foundation, Green, and the veterans of the Flying Tigers, Moe and McMillen, President Xi Jinping emphasized: "The healthy and stable development of US-China relations in the new era requires the participation and support of the Flying Tigers in the new era, and we hope that the Flying Tigers spirit can be passed down from generation to generation among the peoples of the two countries." In November 2023, during his visit to the United States, President Xi Jinping announced that China is willing to invite 50,000 American youth to come to China for exchange and study over the next five years. To implement President Xi Jinping's important initiative, the "Chinese Bridge - Flying Tigers Theme Summer Camp for American Youth in China," hosted by the Center for International Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education and the US-China Aviation Heritage Foundation, and organized by Yunnan Normal University and Yunnan Radio and Television, was held as scheduled on June 24, 2024.

"Chinese Bridge" - The "Flying Tigers" Themed American Youth Summer Camp in China is Rich and Colorful

The beautiful moments pass in a flash. Over the past fourteen days, 70 American teachers and students from New York, San Francisco, Minnesota, and other places traveled to Beijing, Kunming, and Tengchong, respectively. They observed China with their own eyes, listened to China with their own ears, and measured China with their own footsteps. While exploring the historical memory of win-win cooperation between China and the United States, they also witnessed a trustworthy, lovable, and admirable image of China. This journey is a precious memory in the campers' lives, and a vivid practice of carrying forward the friendship between China and the United States in the new era.

Speech by Ding Liguo, Director of the Exchange Division, Center for International Language Exchange and Cooperation, Ministry of Education

In his speech, Ding Liguo, representing the Center for International Language Education and Cooperation of the Ministry of Education, extended his warm congratulations on the successful organization of this summer camp. He stated: The exchanges and interactions between Chinese and American youth will inject vigorous momentum into the healthy development of the bilateral relationship. The Center for International Language Education and Cooperation welcomes more American youth friends to come to China to walk around, take a look, and experience firsthand the new atmosphere of Chinese modernization.

Speech by Jeffrey Green, Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation

Jeffrey Green expressed his sincere gratitude to President Xi Jinping for inviting American youth to visit and study in China. He hopes that after returning to the United States, the campers of this "Flying Tigers" summer camp will share the history of the US-China partnership, as well as the natural landscapes, cultural features, and the warmth and kindness of the Chinese people that they have seen and experienced firsthand in China, with their families and friends in the United States, allowing them to understand a real China.

Speech by Hu Jinming, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and President of Yunnan Normal University

Hu Jinming stated: The successful conclusion of the Chinese Bridge "Flying Tigers" Summer Camp marks a new starting point for writing a new chapter of friendly cooperation between the Chinese and American peoples. Through this journey, more Americans have come to understand the deep friendship forged between the Chinese and American peoples through the trials of war, and in the future, there will certainly be more Chinese and American youth willing to become the inheritors of the "Flying Tigers" spirit.

Speech by Li Xiaofeng, Member of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of Yunnan Radio and Television

Li Xiaofeng stated: This summer camp is not only a journey to continue the journey of friendship, but also an opportunity for cultural exchange. We hope and welcome people from all countries to visit Yunnan and China more often in the future, to discover and experience all aspects of China, to learn and understand China's profound culture, to pass on the precious friendship between China and the United States, and to join hands to make the future even better.

"Chinese Bridge - 'Flying Tigers' Themed American Youth in China Summer Camp" Campers Share Their Reflections

At the closing ceremony, the campers reviewed the wonderful moments of their trip to China through the short film "Summer Memories". During this journey, they admired the majestic and magnificent landscapes of China, experienced the profound and rich Chinese culture, touched the pulse of modern China's development, and realized the deep friendship forged between China and the United States in blood and fire. The campers all expressed that this summer camp was a fulfilling and meaningful journey. Through this trip, they saw a real and three-dimensional China, felt the enthusiasm and friendliness of the Chinese people, and recognized the important significance of continuing the friendship between China and the United States. They will transform into grassroots ambassadors of China-US friendship and make their own contributions to the cause of China-US friendship.

Campers showcase their Chinese paper-cutting works.

Campers Showcase Their Chinese Instrument Learning Achievements: Playing the Hulusi

Interactive Game "You Describe, I Guess"

The event organizer, a carefully designed interactive game by the campers called "You Describe, I Guess", also pushed the lively atmosphere on-site to a climax.

Campers watch wonderful programs

Poetry Recitation "We Share Life and Death"

At the conclusion of the closing ceremony, the campers and students from Kunming Foreign Language School recited the poem "We Live and Die Together" once again, reliving the moving history of the "Camel Flight" and paying tribute to the heroes of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression who sacrificed their lives for world peace and Sino-US friendship. Subsequently, the Chinese and foreign youth sang a duet of "May Our Friendship Last Forever," expressing the beautiful hope that "the friendship between the people of China and the United States will last forever."

Chorus "Friendship Forever"

"The hope for China-US relations lies in the people, the foundation lies in the grassroots, and the future lies in the youth." On July 1, 2024, President Xi Jinping stated while addressing the "Youth Journey Together" exchange group of American youth: "I hope that through this visit, you will perceive China, experience China, and understand China; interact with Chinese youth, become good partners and good friends, build more bridges of mutual understanding and affection between the peoples of the two countries, and make contributions to enhancing the friendship between the peoples of China and the United States."

Closing Ceremony Group Photo

In response to President Xi Jinping's expectations, this summer camp activity, based on the "story of the Flying Tigers across the century and the Flying Tiger spirit forged by the people of China and the United States," has built a "bridge of friendship" that connects the hearts of youth in both China and the United States, injecting "youthful power" into Sino-US friendship. Over the next five years, more American youth will come to China through this platform. These young people will become the inheritors of the "Flying Tiger spirit," the dissolvers of Sino-US barriers, and the transmitters of Sino-US friendship, bringing vibrant vitality to the stable and healthy development of China-US relations.