The influence and impact of the work of the late American journalist Edgar Snow was remembered as U.S. and Chinese representatives gathered at a historic site in Yan'an of northwest China's Shaanxi Province to discuss Snow's legacy and the enduring spirit of people-to-people exchanges which strengthens ties between China and the United States.
Known for his firsthand reporting from China in the 1930s, Snow traveled to Yan'an, the then headquarters of the Communist Party of China (CPC), where he conducted extensive interviews with senior CPC figures, including late Chinese leader Mao Zedong, resulting in his book "Red Star Over China".
His reporting brought a little-known chapter of modern China to readers around the world and helped lay the foundation for greater mutual understanding between China and the U.S.
On the 90th anniversary of Snow's first visit to Yan'an, representatives from the Edgar Snow Memorial Foundation in Kansas City and Chinese academic institutions gathered at the Red Star Garden to reflect on the late journalist's groundbreaking work.
Representatives acknowledged the significance of their meeting in Yan'an which saw them retrace Snow's historic steps. They highlighted the enduring connections between the people of Kansas City and Yan'an, stressing that despite political differences, promoting understanding at the grassroots level remains the key to bridging divides.
"It's just been a wonderful experience. It's pretty amazing to see what the people from two countries can do together. Aside from politics, when they just get down to being people and engaging in people-to-people (exchanges), this exemplifies that whole idea," said Larry, director of the Edgar Snow Memorial Foundation.
"This year is the 90th anniversary of Edgar Snow's first visit to Yan'an, and that is why we are here again at Red Star Garden. [It is] through the bridge built by Edgar Snow that so many people have gotten to know each other," said Hu Zhongfeng, director of the Edgar and Helen Snow Studies Center and also dean of Yan'an Spirit and International Friends Studies Institute under Xijing University.
"People from Kansas City and people from Yan'an in Shaanxi Province are still today gathering together, discussing not only him and his writing, but also the important work that he wrote about, about understanding, and collaboration and communication between us," said Sidne Gail Ward, president of the Edgar Snow Memorial Foundation.
Further assessing the impact of Snow's endeavor to uncover the inside story of China at that time, the representatives emphasized his great courage to go into the unknown at great risk, and hailed his qualities as a journalist, such as his thirst for knowledge and truth, which remains an inspiration today.
"But then to sit here and be with these guys and produce that work that he did that changed the whole perspective for the whole world, that was something very brave to just even attempt to do, much less make it such a success. That's the bravery that has shone through to me," said Larry.
"He was the first to take that opportunity to come and make it. And once people saw that he was able to do that, then you saw other people, just as we're now following in his footsteps, 90 years later. But I think that sort of courage, that bravery, that thirst for knowledge, thirst for the truth, when I think of him and as a journalist, I mean it's the perfect qualities for a journalist," said Ward.
As China and the United States enter a new chapter in their bilateral relations, the question of what it means to carry on Snow's spirit seems more pressing than ever.
"The whole purpose of the Edgar Snow Foundation, from its founding, and so always very consciously, the mission was to keep the people-to-people connections strong and growing. Understanding the two countries have their own interests, and they're not always going be in the same place, but keeping the people strong, because the people are what are going to save it. So that's been a very deliberate mission of ours, and we think it's good work," said Nancy Kay Hill, honorary president of the Edgar Snow Memorial Foundation.
Looking ahead, Hill expressed hope for new voices to carry on Snow's work in the digital age, where everyone can become a storyteller.
"I hope that this just adds to the number of platforms that can be out there. But to see Chinese people and American people just being normal people, and doing it together, I think that could be wonderfully helpful," she said.
US-China representatives gather in Yan'an to commemorate Edgar Snow's legacy on 90th anniversary
