As the serene dance of snowflakes fell outside, Donald MacInnis, an elderly American gentleman, sat back peacefully in his rocking chair. Clutched in his hands were heartfelt letters from his second home, Fuzhou, East China’s Fujian Province. These were missives filled with warm greetings from Chinese students, who over time had become like family to him. Before his peaceful departure, MacInnis expressed his desire for his ashes to be scattered in Fuzhou’s “mother river”, the Minjiang, illustrating the profound connection he felt towards this Eastern city.
Donald MacInnis was no ordinary American. He was a part of the illustrious Flying Tigers, a group of US volunteer pilots who joined China in its resistance against Japanese aggression during the War (1931-45). Following the war, MacInnis taught at a university in Fuzhou for several years. His enduring affection for China and his fascinating tales significantly influenced his son and daughter-in-law, Elyn MacInnis. This summer, they travelled to Kuliang, Fuzhou, sharing their father’s remarkable journey with young Chinese citizens.
Influenced by MacInnis’ enduring legacy, Zhou Tianyi, a university student from East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), and her classmate, Ye Yuhan, embarked on an online project to reconnect the modern-day residents of Kuliang with its foreign inhabitants from the 1940s. Under the mentorship of their professor Lin Yinan, they seek to foster a renewed connection with Kuliang’s past.
Initially aiming to gain practical experience, the two students found their motivations transforming into a heartfelt desire to serve the Kuliang community and assist elderly American citizens in retracing their roots. With technological aid from fellow students at the ECUST, they developed a website using AI facial recognition to help users connect with their past. It can match old photographs with individuals, offering access to family trees and personal profiles. Additionally, the platform marks the homes where Americans once resided, aiding those in their journey back to their roots.
The students also aspire to bring the spirit of Kuliang to a younger audience, exploring innovative methods to recreate popular dishes and teas enjoyed by the American inhabitants and developing cultural products.
Elyn MacInnis expressed her gratitude for these young contributors, stating that their innovative and modern approach has helped revive the spirit of Kuliang. Moreover, she looks forward to facilitating more cultural exchanges between the younger generations in China and the US.
The Kuliang spirit has found its echo in the Fujian Hwa Nan Women’s College (FHNW), established in the early 20th century by American Lydia Trimble. She championed the cause of female education in China, and her legacy continues to inspire educational exchanges between FHNW and US schools, even today.
The enchanting streets of Kuliang, where time seems to pause, and the Life On The Mountain Museum, nestled amidst nature, continue to celebrate this unique China-US bond. Here, young visitors learn about the shared history of their predecessors, even finding common ground in childhood toys, such as glass marbles, displayed in the museum.
Kuliang, with its timeless connection bridging the East and West, signifies a spirit that future generations are eager to inherit and carry forward. The story of Donald MacInnis, his love for Fuzhou, and his enduring bond with its people serve as a testament to this unbreakable connection.
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