Flying Tigers youth summer camp opens in Beijing

A youth summer camp aimed to carry forward the spirit of the Flying Tigers and promote friendship and cultural exchanges between Chinese and American students was opened in Beijing on Wednesday.

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 to help oppose the Japanese invasion of China during World War II.

After over eight decades, the stories about the Flying Tigers have been passed down from generation to generation in both China and the United States, with mutual friendship continuing to flourish, and with new vitality.

The summer camp, officially known as the Chinese Bridge Flying Tigers Summer Camp for American Students, was organized by the Center for Language Education and Cooperation under China's Ministry of Education and the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation (SAAHF), and has attracted over 100 teachers and students from the United States and various regions of China.

Before the launching ceremony, the organizers, along with many Chinese students, prepared various Chinese folk activities and games for the overseas friends, such as trying traditional Chinese musical instruments, playing the Touhu or pitch-pot game, and experiencing paper-cutting techniques.

"I'm going to try the Chinese flute," said an American student.

"I pretty much enjoyed the pitch-pot game," said another American student.

Most of the students participating in the event were from friendly schools of the Flying Tigers, and some were even descendants of the Flying Tigers.

"Yes, he was in the Flying Tigers before I was born. He flew hundreds of mission. [I am expecting] to see a lot more history about the Flying Tigers, to have a lot more learning about it," said another summer camp student. "I think this is a wonderful moment to commemorate our solidarity with the students of the Flying Tigers summer camp and to strive for progress together," said Zhang Yiyuan, a Chinese student from central China's Hunan Province.

At the opening ceremony, Jeffrey Greene, chairman of the SAAHF, said that he hoped the campers can cherish and enjoy this journey, spend a fulfilling and meaningful time in China, and share the story of the Flying Tigers with more people.

Organizers said that they will launch five such youth summer camps in the next five years to deepen bilateral friendship and pass on the Flying Tigers spirit.

After the trip to Beijing, the campers will also go to southwest China's Yunnan Province, the birthplace of the Flying Tigers, to learn more about the stories of these war heroes, according to organizers.

Flying Tigers youth summer camp opens in Beijing

Flying Tigers youth summer camp opens in Beijing

Central China's Henan Province has striven over the past more than ten years to build itself into a hinterland hub of reform and opening up through vigorous development of aviation logistics and cross-border trade, and with the adoption of a series of reform measures meant to improve the business environment.

In the provincial capital city of Zhengzhou, the Xinzheng International Airport has become the first in China to introduce an automated guided vehicle (AGV) smart application project. Acting on commands issued by the backstage, this groundbreaking project features 40 unmanned forklifts that effortlessly distribute goods to 1,284 standardized storage locations.

Within the sprawling 70,000-square-meter cargo terminal, a sophisticated intelligent system acts as the brain, automatically calculating the remaining storage capacity and providing early warnings for any potential irregularities in every corner. Beyond enhanced operational efficiency, the implementation of this intelligent system has also resulted in faster and more efficient outbound cargo shipments.

Notably, in May 2020, the Xinzheng International Airport became the sole pilot airport designated to operate air cargo e-freight in China on a trial basis.

The air cargo e-freight platform has revolutionized the industry by digitizing various air cargo documents and customs declarations. This seamless integration has created a comprehensive data chain, connecting foreign trade enterprises, freight forwarders, customs authorities and airlines within the aviation logistics operation chain.

Previously, the process of cargo security declarations used to involve cumbersome paperwork. But now, a single unified platform streamlines the procedure, eliminating the need for redundant submissions and multiple physical visits, effectively easing long-standing bottlenecks.

The adoption of such bold reform measures has significantly improved the business environment. Over 260 companies have already joined the e-freight platform, saving more than 1.5 million paper documents annually and increasing data transmission efficiency by over 20 percent.

As a result, the Xinzheng International Airport air cargo e-freight project was selected into the seventh batch of successful reform projects in China's national-level free trade zones, with plans for replication and nationwide promotion.

With over a decade of development, the Xinzheng International Airport has established more than 40 all-cargo routes, creating an extensive air cargo network that spans Europe, America and Asia, covering major global economic hubs.

Central China province strives to turn itself into hub of reform, opening up