A Bridge of Memory: The WWII Legacy Stabilizing US-China Relations

NANJING, China – July 20, 2026 – This month, despite his failing health, 72-year-old Jeffrey Greene made the long journey across the Pacific. His destination was Nanjing, and his purpose was deeply personal yet globally significant: to stand with the families of WWII veterans at the Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hall and commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Flying Tigers' arrival in China. For Greene, the Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation (SAAHF), this trip is more than a memorial; it's the continuation of a lifelong mission to preserve a unique bond of friendship forged in war, a bond that serves as a crucial, stabilizing signal in the complex landscape of modern US-China relations.

Greene’s journey is a powerful symbol of the foundation's work. It highlights a form of diplomacy that operates beyond formal state channels, focusing instead on shared history and personal connection. "Only four original Flying Tigers veterans remain with our foundation," a foundation representative recently noted. "We must do everything we can to pass on their spirit while time permits." This sense of urgency fuels a strategy that looks both to the past and the future, leveraging a powerful historical narrative to build bridges for a new generation.

The Foundation of Friendship

The story begins in 1941 when a group of American pilots, the American Volunteer Group (AVG), arrived in China under General Claire Lee Chennault. Tasked with defending against Japanese fascist aggression, they quickly earned the affectionate nickname "Flying Tigers" from the Chinese people they protected. Their bravery and sacrifice, with many losing their lives in combat, created a profound and lasting legacy of camaraderie.

Decades later, Jeffrey Greene, a U.S. Marines-trained pilot and military historian, became captivated by their story. After meeting dozens of original Flying Tigers veterans in 1995, his fascination turned into a calling. In 1998, with the support of veteran Chinese and American pilots, he founded the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation. Its mission was clear: to honor the heroes of that shared conflict and ensure their story of cooperation would not be forgotten. Since its inception, the organization has been a vital conduit, bringing over 500 veterans and their descendants back to the sites where their families fought and, in some cases, fell. This act of remembrance serves as a recurring, tangible reinforcement of a friendship that predates current geopolitical complexities.

Diplomacy Beyond the State Department

In an era defined by economic competition and diplomatic friction, the work of the SAAHF stands out as a powerful example of people-to-people diplomacy. While governments navigate intricate policy debates, the foundation cultivates goodwill on a human level. This effort has not gone unnoticed at the highest levels. Chinese President Xi Jinping has personally replied to letters from Greene and the veterans, expressing his hope that the spirit of the Flying Tigers will be "carried on from generation to generation."

This high-level endorsement underscores the strategic value of such initiatives. They provide a common ground—a "common spiritual wealth," as some have called it—that transcends political posturing. By focusing on a time when the two nations stood shoulder-to-shoulder against a common enemy, the foundation reminds both sides of their capacity for cooperation. "The more the Chinese know us and the more we know them, the safer the world is going to be," one analyst of these programs observed. This philosophy suggests that true, lasting security is built not just on treaties, but on mutual understanding and respect—a core tenet of the foundation’s work.

Investing in the Future: The Friendship Schools Initiative

Perhaps the most significant growth signal emanating from the foundation’s work is its forward-looking investment in youth. Recognizing that the legacy of the Flying Tigers must be passed on, the SAAHF launched the "Flying Tigers Friendship Schools & Youth Leadership Program" in 2022. The program has expanded rapidly, now encompassing over 80 schools and universities across China and the United States.

This initiative goes far beyond history lessons. It facilitates student exchanges, summer camps, and even video conferences that connect students directly with the few remaining Flying Tigers. American students travel to China, visiting historical sites and hearing stories from Chinese families who were aided by the pilots. The program's success led to its inclusion in China's official initiative to invite 50,000 American youth to visit and study in the country over the next five years, cementing its role as a key pillar in the future of bilateral relations. For participants, the experience is transformative. They become, as one student noted, ambassadors who learn that history can be a force for unity rather than division.

A Legacy in Motion

Jeffrey Greene's presence in Nanjing is not an isolated event. It coincides with a two-week tour of China by a 69-member delegation of American students and educators from the Friendship Schools program. Their journey, which included a stop at a special exhibition on US-China exchanges in Beijing, is the living embodiment of the foundation's mission. They are the "Flying Tigers of the future," tasked with carrying the spirit of cooperation forward.

As the world watches the shifting dynamics between two global powers, the enduring story of the Flying Tigers offers a signal of resilience. It demonstrates that historical memory, when actively cultivated, can serve as a powerful anchor in turbulent times. It is a testament to the idea that shared sacrifice can build a foundation of trust strong enough to withstand contemporary pressures. As Greene himself stated, "With Flying Tigers, we've got the strongest thing in the world between the Chinese and American people. The more we do, the farther and wider the spirit of the Flying Tigers will spread."