STORY: Stilwell family stays committed to promoting China-U.S. friendship
DATELINE: Sept. 2, 2023
LENGTH: 00:02:08
LOCATION: Beijing
CATEGORY: POLITICS

SHOTLIST:
1. various of the interviews
2. various of Joseph Stilwell
3. SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JOHN EASTERBROOK, Stilwell's grandson
4. various of John Easterbrook
5. SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JOHN EASTERBROOK, Stilwell's grandson
6. various of the commemorative events
7. various of the tree
8. SOUNDBITE 3 (English): NANCY EASTERBROOK MILLWARD, Stilwell's great-granddaughter

STORYLINE:

Descendants of former U.S. General Joseph Stilwell have expressed their commitment to preserving Stilwell's legacy and promoting China-U.S. friendship through people-to-people exchanges.

General Stilwell helped the Chinese government and people during the fight against Japanese aggression during World War II.

SOUNDBITE 1 (English): JOHN EASTERBROOK, Stilwell's grandson
"The Chinese people never forget a friend. It is quite an honor and just reflects the respect and admiration, I think Stilwell's legacy is respect and admiration for the Chinese people."

Stilwell's grandson, John Easterbrook, has visited China 17 times, and had countless contacts and exchanges with the Chinese people.

SOUNDBITE 2 (English): JOHN EASTERBROOK, Stilwell's grandson
"It is so important because the more we can know each other, the more the friendship is developed, you get more of a feeling for what the two peoples' desires and dreams, maybe that will then lead eventually to better relations between the two countries."

In August, a series of commemorative events were organized in China's Chongqing to mark the 140th birth anniversary of General Stilwell.

In front of Stilwell's former residence, his great-granddaughters planted an osmanthus tree, which symbolizes friendship, loftiness and peace.

SOUNDBITE 3 (English): NANCY EASTERBROOK MILLWARD, Stilwell's great-granddaughter
"We will hopefully continue the legacy of U.S. and Chinese relationships moving forward.
We were able to plant the tree at the Stilwell Museum. It was a wonderful opportunity for us to really solidify the friendship between the Chinese and the U.S. people. We hope that it will blossom and grow and continue through the next few generations to show that there is a strong friendship between the U.S. and the Chinese people that has lasted through the decades and will continue to do so in the future."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Beijing.
(XHTV)