Ten students and teachers from the Pingry School in New Jersey recently visited Quzhou in East China's Zhejiang province for a cultural exchange with students and teachers from Quzhou No 2 High School.

It marked the fifth visit from the Pingry School to Quzhou, highlighting a long-standing and historical connection between the two.

The highlight of the latest visit was a trip to the Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid where both students from the US and China got an insight into a unique wartime story, which forged a lasting friendship between the two nations.

In 1942, after a daring bombing raid on Japan, 64 American pilots, led by Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle, were forced to bail out or crash-land in China due to fuel shortages. The Chinese people rescued 51 of these airmen, including those who recuperated in Quzhou.

A girl from Quzhou No 2 High School helps a Pingry School student do some calligraphy. [Photo/WeChat account: quzhoufb]

In 2011, Quzhou No 2 High School and Pingry School established an international friendly relationship, fostering regular exchanges. Since 2015, the Children of the Doolittle Raiders has supported this bond through scholarships. The Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid opened in 2018, further cementing this historical link.

During their visit, Vinav Shah, a Pingry School student, was thrilled to discover that William Halsey, the naval commander of the Doolittle Raid, was a Pingry alumnus. This unexpected connection delighted the visiting group, reinforcing the shared history.

Daniel Alvin Lanou, another Pingry School student, expressed his desire to maintain the newfound friendships and to share the stories of this meaningful visit after returning home.