She is the pride of the Chinese community, she has been active in the United States, from Kennedy to Clinton, there are eight American ** entrusted to her, she is a bridge between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and the Pacific Ocean, she is a Chinese daughter, the daughter-in-law of the United States, known as the "Sino-US non-governmental ambassador".
The love story between her and Chennault, a hero of the American War of Resistance and General of the "Flying Tigers", connects the deep feelings of the two countries, she is Chen Xiangmei, a world-famous representative of overseas Chinese, a social activist, and the chairman of the American Council for International Cooperation.
Chen Xiangmei: The End of the Chinese Legend Chen Xiangmei, an outstanding Chinese born in Beijing on June 23, 1925, her father Chen Yingrong is a diplomat with a Doctor of Law from Oxford University in the United Kingdom and a Doctor of Philosophy from Columbia University in the United States, and her mother Liao Xiangci studied in Europe to study ** and painting.
Her maternal grandfather, Liao Fengshu, was the Chinese minister to Cuba and the Japanese ambassador, and was a brother to the Kuomintang veteran Liao Zhongkai. Chen Xiangmei's growth environment is extremely superior, living in a real scholarly family, a famous family, and the frequent visitors to the home are prominent figures such as Gu Weijun, who was the prime minister, and Ye Gongchao, a diplomat.
In 2015, she was invited to Beijing to participate in the military parade for the 70th anniversary of the Anti-Japanese War, and received the anti-Japanese commemorative medal from ***. In April 2018, Chen Xiangmei passed away in Washington, D.C., at the age of 93.
Her deeds are celebrated, and her charm is unforgettable. Today, let's step into the world of Chen Xiangmei and feel the unique charm of this outstanding Chinese American.
Although there are always some unforeseen changes in life, in 1937, the 77 Incident occurred, which made the Liao family's wealth disappear overnight, and they had to leave their hometown and flee to Hong Kong.
In 1944, Chen Xiangmei completed her studies at Lingnan University, and then joined the Kunming branch of the ** news agency, and became the leading female war correspondent in the history of the agency.
Chennault was a key figure in the "U.S. Air Force Volunteer Corps", who came to China in May 1937 and led more than 100 American pilots to train the Chinese Air Force and fight the Japanese Air Force in the air.
This "U.S. Air Force Volunteer Corps" was later renamed the 14th Air Force, which is known to everyone as the Flying Tigers. During World War II, Chen Xiangmei, as a journalist, met General Chennault as a journalist with her fluent English and excellent qualities.
In the process of interviewing and being interviewed, Chen Xiangmei was moved by Chennault's fortitude and tenderness. Eventually, she broke through the barriers of the world and her family, and resolutely married Chennault, who was 33 years her senior.
On December 21, 1947, the two held a grand wedding at Chennault's residence at No. 5 Meihua Village, Hongqiao, Shanghai, which shocked the news for a while, and even Chiang Kai-shek and Soong Meiling sent Ye Gongchao from Nanjing to Shanghai to bless the couple.
In the face of difficulties, Chen Xiangmei, with her perseverance, took her two daughters alone to break through in Washington. Although many people thought that she had a good life, in reality, Chennault lived a clean life and did not leave any property after his death.
Chen Xiangmei knows that life is not easy, but she still encourages herself: "Although life is hard, as long as you persist in struggle, you will always see hope." ”
Chen Xiangmei began her career when she found a job at Georgetown University Graduate School in Washington. She studied speech under professors, lectured around the United States on her personal experience and China, and published A Thousand Springs, which became a bestseller in New York.
At the same time, due to her knowledge of aviation companies, Chen Xiangmei has achieved success in both academia and business. She goes to work every day in exquisite and beautiful clothes and goes out with fine jewelry.
Chen Xiangmei not only displayed her talents in the business world, but also left a deep footprint in the political circles. In 1963, she was honored to accept Kennedy's appointment as the first person of Chinese descent to work in the White House.
Later, in 1967, Nixon appointed her as chairman of the National Committee for Women's Support for Nixon's Campaign, as well as an adviser on Asian affairs. When Nixon won ***, she was promoted to Republican executive councilor and vice chairman of finance in 1968.
Four years later, Chen Xiangmei was ranked among the 70 most influential people in the United States. She has served as the chairman of the U.S. Refugee Relief Administration, the chairman of the Republican Minority Committee of the United States, and the ...... member of the International Affairs Committee of the U.S. General CouncilHe is one of the few Chinese American activists in the United States.
Chen Xiangmei is known as the non-governmental ambassador of China and the United States, and she is full of deep affection for the motherland that raised her, and has made great efforts to develop the relations between China and the United States. In a meeting in January 1971, Nixon asked Chen Xiangmei about her views on the relationship between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait and the United States.
Chen Xiangmei made it clear: "China will definitely go to the world political stage, whether you want to accept it or not." Just seven months later, Nixon accepted the invitation and made an official visit to China the following year.
Although Chen Xiangmei has lived in the United States for half the time, she has always considered herself a complete Chinese. In the United States*** in November 1980, Reagan won.
On December 31, Chen Xiangmei, as Reagan's goodwill envoy, returned to Beijing again after leaving the motherland for 30 years.
1981 was a highlight moment in Chen Xiangmei's life. On New Year's Day, ** hosted a banquet for US representatives at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse, and specially invited Chen Xiangmei to sit as the chief of the US side.
** Speaking with a strong Sichuan accent, he said to Chen Xiangmei: "You sit first", and humorously explained: "There are 100 senators in the United States, and there is only one Chen Xiangmei in the world, do you agree?" ”
**'s humor made the scene laugh constantly. The next day, both the New York Times and the Washington Post published front-page headlines about shaking hands with Chen Xiangmei, which became one of Chen Xiangmei's unforgettable memories and became her motivation to motivate herself.
Chen Xiangmei recalled: "Comrade Xiaoping was a very intelligent, funny person, and also very approachable. In the past 20 years, Chen Xiangmei has traveled back and forth to China and the United States many times, and has also led many American entrepreneurs to China to investigate and invest, making outstanding contributions to the development of the motherland.
In addition, she was also sent to Taiwan to do a lot of effective work for the relaxation of the motherland's strait, and actively promote cross-strait exchanges.
Chen Xiangmei is not only a successful businesswoman and diplomat, but also an active advocate of philanthropy. She set up special education** in Chinese mainland and established the Chen Xiangmei Education Award to recognize those who have made outstanding contributions in the field of education.
In 2008, when she was in Wenchuan**, she rushed back to her motherland from the United States and actively organized various forms of fundraising activities, providing great help to the people in the disaster area. Chen Xiangmei's contribution is not limited to this.
In 2015, she was awarded the 70th Anniversary Medal of the Victory of the Anti-Japanese War in recognition of her outstanding contributions to the friendship, exchanges and cooperation between China and the United States.
The spokesperson of China also highly praised her, saying that she has made important contributions to promoting the friendly development of Sino-US relations over a long period of time. Chen Xiangmei once said: "My greatest wish is to help the motherland to be a bridge of communication with the outside world, and do my best to ...... for the economic development of the motherland."This not only reflects her personality charm and lofty ideals, but also a true portrayal of her life.