FUZHOU, Sept. 6 (Xinhua) -- A photo exhibition focusing on the Flying Tigers kicked off Friday in Changting County, east China's Fujian Province, highlighting the historic friendship between Chinese and American people.

A delegation from the United States, including members of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation and descendants of Flying Tigers veterans, attended the launch ceremony, which was held at Wolong Academy.

The exhibition features nearly 400 historic photographs of the Flying Tigers, many of which were donated by the veterans themselves.

Changting played a key strategic role during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. In February 1945, the U.S. 14th Air Force established an office in the county, and more than 100 ground staff and aviation personnel from a detachment of the Flying Tigers were stationed there.

"It is our very strong hope that the story of 'Changting Flying Tigers' will be shared by people throughout both China and the U.S.," said Jeffrey Greene, chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation.

Margaret Kincannon, daughter of a veteran, shared that her father still remembered the names of two Chinese mechanics he had worked with long after his time with the Flying Tigers, as well as some phrases they had taught him in their local dialect.

The Flying Tigers, officially known as the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force, was formed in 1941 by U.S. General Claire Lee Chennault. They came to China to help Chinese people fight the invading Japanese troops.

The "Remembering Heroes: Flying Tigers Photo Exhibition Tour" began on Tuesday, and has now reached its second stop in Changting. It is scheduled to also visit areas including Changsha, capital of central China's Hunan Province. Enditem

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