The event titled "Experience China -- A Symphony of Stories on China-U.S. People-to-People Friendship" was held at the Chinese Embassy in the United States on Wednesday, aimed at recalling the deep friendship forged between the Chinese and American people during the World Anti-Fascist War, and jointly creating a brighter future of peace.
Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng and Jeffrey Greene, chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, attended the event alongside government officials and civilian representatives from both countries.
The attendees began by visiting a photo and video exhibition titled "Fighting Side by Side: Chinese and American Peoples Against Fascism" before joining the storytelling event.
Featuring over 300 historical images, documents, and 12 pieces of archival footage, the exhibition offers a comprehensive portrayal of key events, including the Nanjing Massacre, the Flying Tigers' aid to China, the Hump airlift, and the Doolittle Raid rescue.
The storytelling event recounted the shared historical moments when Chinese and American militaries and civilians stood together against Japanese fascism, building an emotional bridge across time and space to deepen the people-to-people friendship between the two countries.
The event featured historical reenactments, heartfelt accounts from descendants of wartime participants from both China and the United States, and displays of historical artifacts -- all enhanced by evocative music and storytelling, creating a deeply moving atmosphere.
Recalling the history of the Chinese and American people fighting side by side against fascism for peace and justice, Xie called on all to pay tribute to history, friendship, and the future. He emphasized the importance of writing new stories of friendship and cooperation in the new era, and jointly creating a brighter future of peace.
"I thought that it was an excellent event, quite beautiful. It was amazing to see the length of friendship between China and the United States, and I really hope that this can open a new chapter in U.S.-Chinese cooperation. The war itself could not have been won without the sacrifices of the Chinese people," said Henry Ray, an American graduate student who attended the event.
China-US storytelling event honors wartime friendship, promotes peace
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
