A series of photos recording historical moments between the US and China are on display through July 28 in a photo exhibition at the Changning Library. Titled Path to Harmony: The United States and China, 1784-1979, the exhibit shows more than 120 photos of businessmen, immigrants, diplomats, explorers and students, depicting the complex and profound friendship between the two countries.

The exhibit, by the Consulate General of the United States as well as the library, is broken up into six parts: "First Encounters," "Official Contacts," "Sharing Knowledge," "Culture Perceptions," "Military Cooperation" and "Renewing Ties."

At the opening ceremony, US Deputy Consul General Gwen Cardno said the US-China relationship is the most important bilateral ties in the world today. The exhibit aims to highlight moments the countries shared on the path to their relationship today.

"The photos you see today represent a snapshot of a long history between the United States and China, a history that we are still writing today," Cardno said. "As we continue moving forward together, looking back will help us handle the challenges of the future."

After the opening ceremony, Cardno led spectators around the exhibition hall, introducing each picture and interpreting the development of the countries' ties in the early stages from her own view.

"The most interesting part of the exhibition to me is that there is a picture here of American and Chinese female pilots from a very long time ago. I think that's kind of fascinating," Cardno told the Global Times.

"But the best one for me is the one from the Bush family, when (later President George H. W.) Bush was serving here and sent a card home for Christmas. I really like it because my family was here working for the Bush's in 1976. So it reminds me of my long history with China as well. I'm very happy to see that here."

Cardno told the Global Times that the establishment of diplomatic relations has had an impact on ordinary people in both America and China, bringing stability in each country and easing fear of war.

While younger Chinese are fond of American culture such as Hollywood movies and TV shows, the Confucius Institute is also very popular in the United States, Cardno said. She added that the American people really want to learn Chinese because people have very "romantic" idea of what China is. They see Chinese writing, which is so beautiful and the arts from China are quite amazing. She said people are also curious about and keen on Chinese culture in the United States.

"America and China have a very long history. And we are still working on our history together, but it shows that we have had military ties and cultural ties for many years," Cardno said.

"I want to welcome everybody to come to the Changning Library to see the exhibit, and I hope many Chinese people can come and see it and many American people can come and see it and realize how long our history is and realize that things are tied together," she said.

The article is written by Zhang Qin

US Deputy Consul General Gwen Cardno speaks at the opening ceremony of the exhibition.

 

The Christmas card sent by George H.W. Bush, which contains photos with his family when he was serving in China, is displayed in the exhibition. Photos: GT

 
Newspaper headline: Pictures on a path