Press Information For Immediate Release September 15, 2012 Los Angeles/San Gabriel Hilton San Gabriel, California Given the strong interdependence between the U.S. and China, more work is needed to develop everlasting friendships between the two peoples. I personally believe U.S.-China Peoples Friendship Association represents one of the instruments to achieving that goal. Joe Eng Long Beach Chapter Member
Looking at Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow US China Peoples Friendship Association Western Region Conference Reflects on the Past, Looks at Present Day and Prepares to Celebrate A New Age of U.S. China Relations The Conference s Keynote Speakers include: Qui Shaofang - Consul General of The People s Republic of China to Los Angeles; Nell Calloway - the granddaughter of The Flying Tigers Commander, General Claire Lee Chennault and Retired USAF Major General James T. Whitehead, Jr. - the Chairman of The Flying Tigers Historical Organization. U.S. and Chinese educators, authors and students highlight the Conference s seminar sessions. San Gabriel, CA --- Forty years after President Nixon s historic China trip, the Western Region of the US-China People Friendship Association (USCPFA) is hosting dignitaries, from both countries, at its conference, October 26-28, 2012, at the LA/San Gabriel Hilton. And, if you are interested in U.S./China relations, you ll want to attend. At a press conference held today at the Los Angeles/San Gabriel Hilton Hotel, Jason J. Lee, Esq., conference co-chair, stated, our objective is to reflect on, enhance and to maintain the positive relationship that exists between the people of the U.S. and China. Jason is also the president of the L.A./San Gabriel chapter of the USCPFA. Qui Shaofang, who has been a diplomat for 35 years and is currently Consul General of the People s Republic of China to Los Angeles, will give the Opening Night Keynote Presentation on October 26. Topics of his address will include, in general, SINO/US relationships, along with examples of regional and local exchanges and cooperation. In addition to his current assignment in Los Angeles, Mr. Shaofang has served the People s Republic of China in Sierra Leone, Sydney, New York, San Francisco, Chicago and Mauritius.
-2- Nell Calloway, the granddaughter of The Flying Tigers Commander, General Claire Lee Chennault, and the Director of the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum in Monroe, LA. is one of the Keynote Speakers on Saturday evening, October 27. The mission of The US China Peoples Friendship Association is something about which I feel very strongly, says Nell. I spend a lot of time informing people of the need to build a better understanding between China and the U.S. and I look forward to the conference and also to gaining insight about this organization. The US China Peoples Friendship Association statement of who they are and their statements of principle have much of the same basic beliefs as does The Flying Tigers Historical Association, says its Chairman, Major General James T. Whitehead, Jr., USAF (Retired). Honoring past friendships and strengthening future people-to-people relationships is one of the main goals of The Flying Tigers Heritage Park we are now building in Guilin, China. The Park, being built at the location of General Chennault s Command and Operations Cave in China, recognizes and commemorates the accomplishments forged between the Flying Tigers and the Chinese during World War II and, will be a major part of his Keynote presentation on Saturday, October 27. Elizabeth Kraft, conference co-chair and a member of USCPFA s Long Beach Chapter, says that the major goal of USCPFA (which was founded in 1974) is definitely reflected in the seminars we have scheduled all day Saturday, October 27. There s something for everyone, says Elizabeth. Presenters and their seminar topics are:
Former California State University Professor and author, John Jung, who will discuss the history of Chinese immigration in the U.S. and their family-run businesses. http://redroom.com/member/john-jung Author Michelle Loyalka Discusses her book, Eating Bitterness, stories from the front lines of China s Great Urban Migration. http://www.ncuscr.org/node/1171 The Executive Director of The University of Southern California s US-China Institute, Clayton Dube will focus on the economic and political changes in China since 1900 and, its wide-reaching effects. http://www.usc.edu/uscnews/experts/1473.html The History of the Chinese Immigration to the U.S. is the theme of Kevin Long Esq. s topic and College student panel discussions, between U.S. and Chinese students will also take place. Shown above are John Jung, Clayton Dube and Michelle Loyalka. For more information about the USCPFA Western Regional Conference go to http://uscpfa-wr.org. Visit http://www.chennaultmuseum.org for a look at The Chennault Military and Aviation Museum and complete details about The Flying Tigers Heritage Park are at http://www.flyingtigerhistoricalorganization.com/. Contact Information Jason J. Lee, Esq. US-China Peoples Friendship Association 626-396-9397 jason@leelawla.com
-4- More Information During a m eeting this past May, in Washington, D.C., Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie (shown above, to the right of Nell Calloway), said of the Flying Tigers, the Chinese people will never forget those who have helped us. Liang and his fellow officers met with Flying Tigers veteran J. V. "Jay" Vinyard, and Nell, and recalled the efforts made by the Flying Tigers during the war. The Flying Tigers and the Hump, an air transport route flown by the U.S. aviators, are household names in China, said the defense minister, noting that China has built memorials to their efforts in Kunming and Chongqing. The Flying Tigers Heritage Park, Guilin, China, -30-