NY forum examines how Chinese town's legacy has enhanced friendship with U.S.

The story of Kuliang in Southeast China's Fujian province has endured across generations, continually rediscovered, deepened and shared by people in both China and the United States.
At the 2025 Kuliang Forum, held on Tuesday in New York and hosted by People's Daily, participants recounted the memories of U.S. citizens who once lived in China and helped carry the legacy forward in both countries. This year's forum was themed "Echoes of History — Peaceful Development Through Mutual Success for Better Lives".
In April 1992, People's Daily published an article about Milton Gardner, a U.S. citizen who spent his childhood in Kuliang before returning to the United States. The story moved many Chinese readers, including President Xi Jinping, then the Communist Party of China secretary of Fuzhou, the capital of Fujian province.
Xi later invited Milton Gardner's wife, Elizabeth Gardner, to visit Kuliang, helping renew the connection between the town and the U.S. as more families rediscovered their own connections.
Beginning with Kuliang — once a summer retreat for U.S. people — the forum unfolded a broader narrative of China-U.S. friendship, from the Flying Tigers who fought alongside Chinese soldiers during World War II, to families and individuals bridging the two countries through culture, art, business and trade, and to today's young people shaping the next chapter.
"The bonds that have transcended time and space continue to inspire us till this day, reminding us that for all our differences in history, culture, social system and development path, we share a common pursuit of friendship, which enables us to rise above our differences and jointly write a new chapter in China-U.S. friendly exchanges and cooperation," Xie Feng, Chinese ambassador to the U.S., said in a video address to the event.
 "The story of Kuliang is a vivid example … These American friends' deep love for China has lived on and touched many hearts," he said.
"In recent years, the 'Friends of Kuliang' — a group of descendants of the American families who once lived there — have embarked on journeys to retrace their ancestors' stories …The century-old story of Kuliang is brimming with new vigor."
Transcending time
Yu Shaoliang, president of People's Daily, said in a video address that Kuliang's friendship has transcended time and space.
"Constructive interaction" between China and the U.S., along with "joint efforts" to contribute more to world peace and development, meets the shared aspirations of people in both countries and the broader international community, Yu said.
"What is heartening is that, inspired by the Kuliang story, exchanges between the two countries, especially among young people, have continued to grow," he said.
For those whose families come from Kuliang, the town remains a home in their hearts, binding them to China and inspiring them to pass on a legacy of understanding and love.
"(Kuliang) is the ideal place to raise children who would go out and become good global citizens — and it works," said Gordon Trimble, who once taught at Fujian Hwa Nan Women's College in Fuzhou.

His grandaunt, Lydia Trimble, arrived in China in 1889. Over the decades, nearly 10 members of the Trimble family have contributed to the founding and development of the college.
Gordon Trimble said the story of Kuliang has helped people from both countries better understand one another. While the world is changing, it is important for people to remember history, he said.
Priscilla Brewster Gill, who was born in Fujian province and spent her childhood in China before returning to the U.S. at age 12, is the daughter of the former director of Gutian Hospital in Gutian county.
For her, Kuliang is not only a memory but a place she calls family and home. "I want to share the story because my heart is so full of love for China," she said.
Nell Chennault Calloway, granddaughter of U.S. general Claire Lee Chennault, founder of the Flying Tigers, said, "All the people here have brought that spirit together in a way."
The stories of Kuliang and the Flying Tigers share the spirit between the Chinese and U.S. people, Calloway said. "I was always amazed that they had that bond and that friendship, that they felt so united together. The bond between the Chinese and Americans," she said.
"But the main thing to remember is that bond is more important today than it's ever been, because China and the United States have to learn to coexist and live together."