Shared Sino-US history can help shape future

After Japan launched the infamous attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 during World War II, the United States retaliated with a massive air raid, known as the "Doolittle Raid", on Japan in April 1942. The daring operation ended with several dozen crew members from 16 US bombers parachuting into Zhejiang, Jiangxi, Anhui and Fujian provinces in China, where they were heroically rescued by Chinese civilians and soldiers.

This profound act of solidarity not only saved lives but also forged a lasting friendship between the peoples of the US and China, a legacy that has endured for decades. In retaliation to the "Doolittle Raid" and the assistance provided by the Chinese people for the US soldiers, the Japanese military launched a brutal attack on Zhejiang and Jiangxi a month later, killing about 250,000 Chinese civilians, and bombing the airport in Quzhou, Zhejiang province, after most rescued US pilots were escorted away from the city.

The documentaries and exhibitions about the rescue operation poignantly highlight the heroism of the Chinese people who risked their lives to save the US airmen. The story evokes memories of the Hollywood production, Saving Private Ryan, and suggests that a Sino-US collaborative movie perhaps titled "Saving Doolittle Airmen" would be a fitting tribute to those unsung heroes who deserve to be included in both nations' school syllabuses as an example of the global fight against fascism.