CHONGQING (CQNEWS) -- Nancy Milward, holding a copy of a telegram of condolence from the US Army headquarters to General Stilwell's wife, traveled over 12,000 kilometers from California to Chongqing, China.

Over 80 years ago, her great-grandfather, General Stilwell, coming across the mountains and seas all the way to China, formed a profound transnational friendship with Comrade Zhu De in fighting against foreign aggression and safeguarding peace.

More than 80 years later, on August 8, 2023, during the 140th anniversary of the birth of General Stilwell, she and her family came across over 10,000 kilometers to Chongqing again, planted an osmanthus tree that symbolizes friendship with the descendants of Comrade Zhu De, and exchanged gifts.

This friendship, lasting for more than 80 years, carried on through five generations, across over 12,000 kilometers, still exudes fragrance, just like this osmanthus tree, which represents the friendship between family and countries.

The descendants of General Stilwell comes to Chongqing to carry on their friendship with the Chinese people

“We are very proud to be able to come to the place where our great grandfather once worked and lived, continue the tradition he started many years ago, and carry on the friendship established with the Chinese people," Nancy Milward said excitedly, adding that five children came with them this time, who were representatives of the fifth generation of General Stilwell's family.

They visited the Chongqing Stilwell Museum and jointly unveiled the "Picture Exhibition of General Stilwell’s Life". They also held the symposium commemorating the 140th anniversary of General Stilwell with over 150 people from governments, experts, scholars, and enterprises from China and the United States.

6-year-old Henry Milward, led by his mother Nancy, walked into the scene of the picture exhibition of his great grandfather's life. Nancy had her own thoughts on this trip: "This is their first time to China, and the Stilwell Museum. We are glad to introduce their great-great-grandfather's friendship with the Chinese people, so that we can carry on this friendship.”

After the tree planting at the museum, Stilwell's great-granddaughter Susan Cole expressed her wish: "I hope to come back and see this tree symbolizing friendship in a few years.”

John Eastbrook, the grandson of General Stilwell, although unable to attend the activity, donated more than 190 precious pictures of General Stilwell's work and life to the Stilwell Museum for the "Picture Exhibition of General Stilwell’s Life". 2023 marks the 140th anniversary of General Stilwell's birth, and with the assistance of Eastbrook, Chongqing Stilwell Museum held this photo exhibition.

Stilwell lives in Jialing New Road, Yuzhong District during his five visits to China and his tenure in Chongqing

Joseph Stilwell, born in 1883 in Florida, United States, was a four-star general in the US Army and graduated from the United States West Point Military Academy. During his 42-year army career, he participated in World War I and World War II. From 1911 to 1944, Stilwell visited China five times, where he got a profound understanding of Chinese culture and society, and became a famous "China expert" in the US military circles at that time.

And it was during his fifth visit to China that he served as the Chief of Staff of the Allied Chinese Theater in Chongqing, living at No. 63 Jialing New Road, Yuzhong District, which is now the location of the Chongqing Stilwell Museum.

When it comes to the deep friendship between Stilwell and Comrade Zhu De, and with the Chinese people, it can be traced back to the period of revolutionary war. He supported the cause of the Chinese people's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, and he had made important contributions to the final victory of the Chinese people's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and also made positive contributions to help the people all over the world, including the American people, to fully and correctly understand the Communist Party of China and its armed struggle against Japanese aggression.

As the only museum in China named after a foreign soldier, Chongqing Stilwell Museum has been committed to conducting research on Stilwell and Sino-US relations. Tao Yan, director of the Stilwell Research Center, said that by holding this series of events, it will help enhance mutual understanding and friendship between the people of the two countries, and encourage the two peoples to make new efforts to improve and develop Sino-US relations, which will help to expand exchanges and cooperation between people from all walks of life in the two countries in a broader field, and seek common development in all aspects for the two countries and their peoples. (Translated by Hu Chuanmin, Fathom Language Limited)