On May 18, 2022, Chinese Consul General Huang Ping attended the ceremony of Unsettled History: America, China, and the Doolittle Tokyo Raid Premiere and Chinese Film Archives Handover.
Huang Ping said that Unsettled History reminded us a key moment in the history of China-US relations, and recalled the spirit of internationalism which valued close connection and friendship the two peoples developed during the World War Ⅱ，when Chinese and American peoples fought shoulder by shoulder against the common enemy for world peace and human dignity, making tremendous efforts and sacrifice for the world peace.
He said that history was a very good mirror and we could draw experience from it so as to guide us to develop our bilateral relationship for a better future. Now, China-U.S. relations have come to a new crossroads and experienced crucial difficulties. The history have told us that if China and US could join hands and work together, we could do lots of meaningful things. The friendship and good relations between our two countries are deeply rooted in the hearts of our two peoples. We should not forget that 250,000 Chinese people were brutally killed by the Japanese military because they helped rescuing the 65 Doolittle pilots.
Huang said, Professor Einreinhofer set us an excellent example by making the documentary and helping people to learn from the history and look into the future. I would like to express my sincere thanks and heartfelt congratulations to Professor Einreinhofer and the New York Film Academy for the great efforts they have made to bring the most important history to world audiences. For the past years, NYFA has been dedicated to collaborating with Chinese partners on film production and providing learning opportunities for many Chinese students. I highly appreciate NYFA’s interaction with China and hope they will continue to promote cultural understanding and friendship between our two peoples.
In order to further enhance mutual understandings, Huang Ping hand over 28 Chinese film archives to the NY Film Academy, including world famous films directed by Zhang Yimo and Chen Kaige. Most of the films are produced in 1980s and reflect the great change and development happened in China since opening up to the outside world. Huang Ping hoped that these films could help the staff and students in the NY Film Academy to further explore China, and inspire them to make more films about China.
Huang pointed out that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the normalization of China-US relationship. Over the past 50 years, this relationship has not only delivered tangible benefits to two peoples, but also made important contributions to the world stability and prosperity. We share common interest and have developed fruitful cooperation in trade, culture, education and many other fields. Countries around the world are looking at China and US to play a leading role to fight against Covid Pandemic and sluggish global economy. We Shall further enhance communications at all levels and promote people to people exchanges, so as to know each other better. If China and the United States could follow the right way of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, China-U.S. relations will get back to the right track of healthy and steady development, and it will serve as an impetus for world peace and prosperity.
“Starting about fifteen years ago, the New York Film Academy committed itself to promoting cultural and educational exchange, partnering with Chinese educational institutions and media groups.” Micheal Young, President of New York Film Academy said. He believed that the precious film archives would enhance the understanding of Chinese modern cinema and cultural diversities on the campus.
Documentary director and producer Bill Einreinhofer told stories behind the screen in the past three years. He said, the Doolittle raiders are true heroes, what they did changed the course of World War II on the Pacific. On the other side, they were rescued by hundreds of brave Chinese men and women, who are also true heroes, and they should be acknowledged and remembered. For the kindness they showed to the American pilots, an estimated 250,000 innocent Chinese civilians were killed by the Japanese military in retaliation. The story of Doolittle raiders and the local Chinese rescuers deserve to be remembered forever. America and China have a shared history, and I think it is important for both sides to recognize that history. That is the message we want to bring forth in the film.
Unsettled History: America, China, and the Doolittle Tokyo Raid is uploaded on Youtube.com, and will be broadcasted by PBS on May 30, the Memorial Day, on 190 television channel all around USA.