A seminar to commemorate Madame Soong Ching Ling, wife of Dr. Sun Yat-sen, and her contribution to the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) was held at Soong Ching Ling's former residence in Beijing on Sept. 10, 2015.

Qi Mingqiu, executive chairman of China Soong Ching Ling Foundation, spoke with Helen Young, wife of Richard Ming Tong Young and close friend of Madame Soong Ching Ling, during the symposium on Sept. 10, 2015. [Photo by Guo Yiming/China.org.cn]

The event, organized by China Soong Ching Ling Foundation (CSCLF) and the administration of her former residence, which is now a converted museum, gathered together Madame Soong's old friends who shared stories of her dedication to the anti-fascist war from different perspectives.

"Madame Soong played an irreplaceable role in promoting national liberation and world peace by wooing support from international friends and overseas Chinese," said Qi Mingqiu, executive chairman of the foundation. "Many of her lifetime friends, like Richard Ming Tong Young and Israel Epstein, were greatly dedicated to the cause of anti-fascism and their relationships remained strong after the war."

Helen Young, wife of Richard Ming Tong Young who was US General Stilwell's aide and served in the China-Burma-India Theatre of WWII, donated her husband's correspondence letters with Madame Soong to the CSCLF as well as a commemorative album, featuring Chinese scholars' appreciative words for Young, to the foundation in 2010.

Helen Young said that she was very delighted to see the book, entitled "A Souvenir of Friendship: Correspondence between Mme. Soong Ching Ling and Mr. and Mrs. Richard Ming Tong Young from 1943 to 1981," being published with the support of the foundation and that the book is the best commemoration of the friendship that existed between her husband and Madame Soong and greatly demonstrates the unified efforts of China and the United States during the anti-fascist war. Mrs. Young was invited as a special guest to attend the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45).

Vice chairman of the foundation, Tang Wensheng, presented the book as a gift for all the participants of the event.

He Liliang, wife of China's former vice premier Huang Hua, Huang Huanbi, wife of Israel Epstein, and Michael Crook, chairman of Gung Ho, or the International Committee for the Promotion of Chinese Industrial Cooperatives, also talked about their deep relationship with Madame Soong during and after the anti-fascist war.

After the event, participants visited the venue's photo exhibition entitled "Invincible China -- Soong Ching Ling and the Great Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression."

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