Speeches and Articles by U.S. Consul General James B. Cunningham

(As prepared for delivery)

U.S. Consul General James B. Cunningham

Secretary (for Justice Elsie) Leung, Secretary (for Education Arthur) Li, veterans of the Second World War, and distinguished guests.

I want to first take the opportunity to thank the Education and Man Power Bureau, Hong Kong Wenhuibao Press, the Information Office of the Yunnan Government, and other organizations who helped arrange this exhibit.

I also would like to thank the Hong Kong Central Library for hosting this important event.

Even before the U.S. became involved in the war in December 1941, many brave Americans began to travel to China to form the American Volunteer Group, a group of pilots to help defend China. After a few months of training with obsolete planes and equipment, they were already having an impact and were dubbed the Flying Tigers. In 1942, British Prime Minister Winston Churchill wrote in a cable to the Governor of Burma, "The victories of these Americans over the rice paddies of Burma are comparable in character, if not in scope, with those won by the Royal Air Force over the hop fields of Kent in the Battle of Britain."

After the U.S. formally entered the war, the U.S. Army Air Force and continued the legendary exploits of the Flying Tigers by ferrying vital war supplies over the Himalayas, known at “the hump,” into Western China. The bravery, ingenuity, and courage of both the American and Chinese pilots, including those on stage with me today, serve as an example to all of us. This exhibit also reminds us of the long-standing friendship and cooperation between China and the United States.

As we remember the end of World War II, it is important to note that we have representatives of our former adversaries, Japan and Germany, with us here today. We are now important international partners. They too are aware of the horror and devastation that war begets and new generations of leaders in those two countries and in China and America have rededicated themselves to ensuring that the world of tomorrow does not ever again face the man-made tragedies of the mid-twentieth century.

Consul General James B. Cunningham meets with U.S. 'Hump Pilot' Melvyn McMullen, U.S. Army Air Force, and his wife Jennifer before the ceremony.

The example of the heroic exploits of these American and Chinese airmen serve as an example to all of us how nations and individuals working together can change the course of history. Today, as these courageous airmen did over sixty years ago, China, the U.S., Japan, Germany, and other nations must work together to overcome the common threats that face us in the 21st century. Thank you.

# # #