"China and the U.S. are the largest developing country and the largest developed one in the world," said Liu Yandong, vice-premier of China." If we work together, we can become the anchor of the world's stability and the driver of world peace."
Liu spoke at the For Justice and Peace photo exhibition at the Chinese Embassy in Washington on Wednesday.
The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries presented the exhibition to honor Chinese and American cooperation and dedication to the final victory of the world Anti-Fascist War and to remember the friendship forged during the war.
The exhibition consists of 110 photos in four main chapters China and the U.S. in a Fight against Fascism, Americans the Chinese Define as Heroes, The Friendship the Chinese and Americans Shared and Salute to Friendship.
Some of these historic photos were shot by American soldiers in China during World War II, according to Li Xiaolin, president of the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries, the organization that provided the photos for exhibit.
Li is the daughter of General Li Xiannian, who saved a member of the "Flying Tigers" air squadron during World War and was president of China between 1983 and 1988.
"Seventy years ago, for justice and peace, Chinese and Americans formed cross-Pacific alliance," Li said. "Today, 70 years later, we gather here for the same reason, justice and peace, and for the prosperity of the whole world."
"Today China-U.S. relations (are) at a critical stage," Liu said. "We need to build on past achievements and see further progress. What has happened has proved that a healthy, stable, and growing China-U.S. relationship not only serves the fundamental interest of the two peoples, but is also crucial to the peace, stability and prosperity of Asia-Pacific and the world."
Liu told Anna Chennault, widow of the Flying Tigers' founder Clair Lee Chennault, that she was pleased to be at such a meaningful event. She said she was glad that China and the United States have been cooperating for such a long time, and believes there will be more collaboration in the future.
"These photos moved me deeply," Chennault said. "They remind me of the long history of collaboration between China and the U.S.."
"As President Xi pointed out, everything that will help inject positive energy to the China-U.S. relationship, we need to go for it. Otherwise, refrain," Liu said.
"Even though sometimes U.S. and China have their differences, we do have a long relationship working together, and there is a foundation as result that we can work from," said Congressman Rick Larsen, one of the co-chairs of the U.S.-China Working Group.
