China's only privately-run museum dedicated to China-U.S. friendship tells stories about Chinese and American efforts in the war of resistance against Japanese aggression, and stands as a testament to the enduring bonds of friendship between the people of the two countries.
Nestled in a residential community in Hangzhou City, east China's Zhejiang Province, the private museum, which is the first of its kind, exhibits documents and materials showing the development of China-U.S. friendship since the 1960s.
Expanded from a two-person project in 1998 to a daily-operating volunteer team of 38 members today, the museum has held nearly a dozen themed exhibitions.
Former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinge, who died in November 2023 at the age of 100, contributed archival materials, and three U.S. presidents sent congratulatory letters.
The museum was founded by a retired couple, Pan Jie and Fan Zhuhua, who are active in cultural and non-official exchanges between China and the United States.
The couple's journey began when they realized critical historical resources were unavailable in China. They self-funded eight research trips to the United States, scouring libraries and placing ads in Chinese-American newspapers to uncover forgotten stories.
"We have traveled to the United States eight times, investing all our savings in this museum. It's like raising a child. We've spent at least 2 million yuan by far," said Fan, who used to work in the provincial museum and was engaged in historical research and literature study.
"I check the Chinese version first because I don't understand English. Once I find the Chinese material, I ask the librarian to help me locate the corresponding English version based on it," said Pan.
Occasionally, with the help of a distant relative living in the United States, they became friends with Ms. Anna Chan Chennault, wife of General Claire Lee Chennault of the Flying Tigers. The Flying Tigers, officially known as the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, was formed in 1941 by Chennault to help China fight invading Japanese forces.
"Ms. Anna Chan Chennault took us to the basement of her home. She had filled the entire basement with photographs of General Chennault's Flying Tigers and her efforts to promote friendship between China and the United States. She also gave us signed copies of her books," Fan recalled.
As preparation deepened, Fan Zhuhua came to know more about the stories of the Flying Tigers and the Hump Route, an airlift operation that transported vital supplies to China.
"Over 1,000 planes crashed, and more than 3,000 Flying Tigers members died. Whenever I think about this, I'm deeply moved -- 3,000 families. Such fine young men, forever lost in the valleys of the Himalayas. This is a friendship forged in blood and sacrifice -- one that must never be forgotten," Fan said.
In 2005, the couple brought the exhibition "Chinese and American Cooperation in the War Against Japanese Aggression" to four U.S. cities including Washington D.C., Philadelphia, New York and Boston, attracting visitors, including a veteran of the Flying Tigers.
Now Fan is in her 70s, and Pan is in his 90s. The latest exhibitions commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression mainly rely on volunteers.
"It was by chance that I happened to pass by downstairs and discovered this museum. From these detailed historical archives, I could feel the founding couple's decades of unwavering dedication.That's how I transformed from a visitor into a volunteer," said Sun Jun, volunteer of the museum.
The founding couple has recently found their successor, and this enduring story of China-American friendship will continue to be told.
Hangzhou museum chronicles China-US friendship in World War II
