Across China: American youngsters explore Sino-U.S. historic friendship in Stilwell Museum

CHONGQING, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Visiting the Stilwell Museum in southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, 14-year-old American student Thomas Rex Feveryear was fascinated by the history when China and the United States fought together 80 years ago.

"I actually didn't completely know all the things that China and America did together," he said. "It's kind of cool to see how they were able to join forces and work together."

The teenager is among the 39 teachers and students from Renaissance Academy in Utah who visited the museum on Thursday.

Named after Joseph Stilwell, a former U.S. general who helped the Chinese people in the fight against Japanese aggression during World War II, the museum is located in Stilwell's former residence in Chongqing, which served as China's provisional capital during the war.

Throughout his military service, Stilwell made five visits to China and lived in the country for 12 years. The museum houses abundant exhibits that serve as a reminder of the history and friendship between Chinese and American people, and is the only museum in China named after a foreign military figure.

The American guests visited a photo exhibition of Stilwell's life story, and watched documentaries about both the general during the war and his family's lasting friendship with China.

Mark Ursic, executive director of the academy, told Xinhua that he didn't know about this history before the trip to Chongqing. "My favorite part was seeing the extent of the relationship between the U.S. military and the Chinese people," Ursic said. "It wasn't just military support -- there were other kinds of interaction, like rehabilitation programs for injured soldiers and things like that."

The visitors also shared their impressions of Chongqing and China at large.

"Chongqing is really cool, especially at night when all the buildings light up," said student Emma Leigh Kim.

"It's really beautiful," said Feveryear. "It has a special charm. Beautiful buildings, trees and a lot of people -- and everyone has been really nice."

Ursic noted that travelling opens the mind.

"When you're at home, most of what you hear or see comes from the news," he said. "But news comes and goes. When you establish real relationships with people, you get a much more solid understanding of their culture and their country, because a country is made up of people. The more people you know, the better understanding you'll have."

He said he would share his experience with friends and family. "I'll really try to share the human connections we've made here -- how welcomed we felt when we came, and how kind and generous everyone has been."

During their travels in China, the delegation also visited other cities such as Chengdu in southwest China's Sichuan Province and Xi'an in Shaanxi Province in the northwest, where they made friends with Chinese counterparts. The American students said they will keep in touch, and if possible, would like to invite their Chinese friends to visit the United States.

"The years of fighting together are worth remembering. General Stilwell has left us a precious spiritual legacy," said Tao Yan, director of the Stilwell Museum. "It is my hope that such activities could promote friendly exchanges between Chinese and American youth, and further enhance their mutual understanding." ■