Dr. H. Keith Spears, an educator from the United States, said he feels proud to have used education to build bridges of cultural exchange and friendship between China and the United States.
Spears made the statement in an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) ahead of the 75th founding anniversary of the People's Republic of China.
Spears, who is also 75 years old this year, is a distinguished American educator who has deeply committed to enhancing U.S.-China relations. With decades of experience, including ties to the American Flying Tigers and China's Peking University, Dr. Spears has been emphasizing collaboration between China and the U.S. to overcome misconceptions and foster mutual understanding for a better future.
He is the nephew of a member of the Flying Tigers.
During World War II, U.S. General Claire Lee Chennault led the Flying Tigers, a group of American volunteer pilots, to China to help the Chinese people expel invading Japanese forces.
"One time on a business trip to Kunming, I visited the famous officers club where American pilots rested after battle. Well, to my surprise, I saw a photo of an American, who resembled closely my uncle. I did not realize that maybe he had been one of them. This was very rewarding for me," said Spears.
He said his uncle had set an unknown pathway for him to come to China and carry on the legacy of his family.
Dr. Spears came to China for the first time in 1988, when he was invited to deliver a series of special lectures at China's top academic institution, Peking University.
"It is important that educators from all countries, China and America, come together to teach our children for the next generation," said Spears.
"I'm here on the Peking University campus in this year, but in 1988 it was just bicycles, but look what we have now, we have electric bicycles. Things have changed, but yet they remain the same. People want good education," he said.
"People often ask me what it was like when I taught in these buildings back in the 1980s, and how it compares to today. At that time, people wore mostly traditional Chinese suits. There weren't a lot of smiles. And the evenings were pretty dark. Today, the darkness has gone during the cities, it's very bright. People are smiling and you can tell, they have many different styles," he continued.
He said he has played many roles in his life.
"But the role I'm most proud of is that of an educator. Being a university president allowed me to navigate between Chinese and American cultures and help drive change. This is the kindergarten we've built in Yunnan. My colleague Dr. Sharon Hundley was instrumental in doing this. The others were the experts and the teachers that I brought in. I've also nurtured many university deans and faculty from prestigious Chinese universities like those in the 985 and 211 projects," he recalled.
"I'm proud to have supported education, devoted myself to education, and used education to build bridges of cultural exchange and friendship between China and the United States. At my current age of 75, I mirror the age of the Republic. Over these decades, countless stories have woven the fabric of mine and my family with China. As we look to the future, our bond with this land will only deepen, enriched by the shared journey of years past and those yet to come," said the U.S. educator.
US educator proud for promoting US-China friendship
