Nestled in the lush landscapes of Guilin, the Yangtang Airfield in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region stands as a silent witness to one of history's most remarkable partnerships. Built during World War II, this airstrip embodies the extraordinary collaboration between Chinese and American forces against a common enemy.
During the war, Guilin became a strategic target for Japanese bombings aimed at crippling Allied air operations. Local residents labored under brutal conditions to construct the airfield without modern machinery, with many sacrificing their lives to support the war effort. Their resilience laid the groundwork for critical missions by the Flying Tigers – American volunteer pilots who defended Chinese skies.
Jeffery Greene, a veteran pilot and chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, shared poignant accounts with CGTN of cross-cultural solidarity. 'Even during starvation,' Greene recounted, 'families would ration their children's eggs to nourish rescued American pilots.' These acts of shared humanity, he emphasized, demonstrate the transformative power of cooperation.
As geopolitical tensions evolve, Greene's message resonates: 'If China and the U.S. work together like they did 80 years ago, no challenge is insurmountable.' The airfield's weathered runways now serve as both a memorial and a call to remember the potential of united action.
