CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- On October 15, to strengthen cultural exchanges between China and the United States and to review the profound friendship formed during the joint struggle against Japanese fascism, the delegation composed of descendants of General Stilwell and of the U.S. Army Observer Group began their visit to China in Chongqing.

Among the members are David Bonds and Andrew Bonds who are the great-grandsons of General Stilwell, Paula Sterling who is the daughter of Captain Domke, and Sarah Sterling who is the granddaughter of Captain Domke.

The first stop of their visit to Chongqing was the General Stilwell Museum, located at the former residence of General Stilwell (the former residence of the Chief of Staff of Allied Armies in the China Theater of Operations). The delegation first presented a wreath at the statue of General Stilwell and arranged the satin ribbons on the wreath, with the inscription “Trace the Steps of Ancestors, Renew China-U.S. Friendship” prominently displayed on the red ribbon.

The delegation toured the former residence of General Stilwell and the exhibition of his life, and watched a short film titled “Hearts Close Together Passing down Friendship across Five Generations”.

After the visit, the delegation held a discussion in the museum’s military conference hall with experts and scholars. They exchanged views on the historical context of the U.S. Army Observer Group stationed in Yan’an, the main activities conducted, the historical significance in the U.S. - China relationship, and insights for the current U.S. - China relationship.

After the discussion, Paula Sterling presented the General Stilwell Museum with Volume 6 of the 1970 issue of the University of California, Berkeley’s “China Studies Quarterly” featuring the article by David D. Barrett titled “Dixie Mission: The United States Army Observer Group in Yenan, 1944”, as well as the “People’s Daily” dated May 20, 1978 and reported on Domke’s visit to China.

On that afternoon, the delegation visited Hongyan Revolutionary Memorial Museum to see the exhibition “Eternal Hongyan: History and Artifacts of the Southern Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China” and the former site of the Southern Bureau and the Eighth Route Army Office in Chongqing.

During their stay in Chongqing, the delegation also visited the view of “CRT trains passing through a building” at Liziba, took a cruise ship on the Yangtze River to enjoy the unique night view of the mountain city, and took a City Walk at Jiefangbei to experience the natural and cultural landscape of Chongqing. They planed to visit Dazu Rock Carvings to appreciate the charm of Chinese historical culture.

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the U.S. Army Observer Group’s visit to Yan’an. The delegation’s journey in China begins in Chongqing, with subsequent visits to Yan’an and Beijing. (Translated by Vichy, Fathom Language Limited)