From March 19 to 20, a special delegation led by Elyn MacInnis, a member of Kuliang Friends, along with Anne Bliss Mascolino, granddaughter of the American missionary doctor Edward Bliss, and her husband Thomas Mascolino, visited Shaowu, Fujian province. Their journey retraced Edward Bliss's footsteps, reconnecting a historic cross-cultural bond that has endured for over a century.

In 1892, Edward Bliss arrived in China and devoted the next 40 years to serving the remote mountain community of Shaowu, providing medical care and helping establish a hospital. His legacy remains deeply cherished by the local people. 

Chen Xianqing, municipal Party secretary of Shaowu, and Guo Feihong, mayor of Shaowu, warmly welcomed the delegation. Chen emphasized the profound historical ties between the Bliss family and Shaowu, noting the visit's significance in fostering mutual understanding and friendship between the two nations. 

To commemorate the occasion, Chen presented Anne and Thomas with a friendship plaque and a bronze statue of Edward Bliss. In return, the Mascolino family gifted the city rare historical photographs of Edward Bliss, further enriching the shared narrative of China-American friendship.  

The delegation tours the Dongguan Dairy Farm site and the Edward Bliss Story Exhibition Hall. [Photo provided to bondwithkuliang.org.cn]

The delegation visited the Dongguan Dairy Farm site and the Edward Bliss Story Exhibition Hall, where they learned about his remarkable contributions—founding clinics, training Western medicine practitioners, promoting education, and even introducing dairy farming to the region. Archival photos and artifacts showcased the Bliss family's deep integration into Shaowu's community, leaving a lasting impression on all the visitors. 

A passionate advocate for education, Edward Bliss played a key role in establishing institutions like Dongguan Primary School. During their visit, Anne and her group engaged in a heartfelt cultural exchange with students, who expressed their admiration for the Bliss family through songs and dances, symbolizing their hopes for enduring friendship between the two nations.  

The delegation poses for a photo with students at Dongguan Primary School. [Photo provided to bondwithkuliang.org.cn]

At Fujian Shaowu No. 4 Middle School's Xiehe Building, where Bliss once worked, Anne shared her family's story and donated historical photographs, further bridging the past and present. 

The emotional journey also led the delegation to Wushi village in Dabugang town, where Anne explored the ruins of her grandparents' countryside villa, adding a deeply personal touch to their homecoming.  

The delegation takes a group photo in front of the Xiehe Building at Fujian Shaowu No. 4 Middle School, where Edward Bliss once worked. [Photo provided to bondwithkuliang.org.cn]

The visit of Edward Bliss's descendants was not only a journey of rediscovering their roots but also a testament to enduring friendship. The bond between the people of China and the United States, as exemplified by the Bliss family's legacy, remains strong and timeless.