Kuliang friends rekindle memories and friendship

At the sharing session, Gail Harris (left) and Li Yiying hold hands together for a long time. [Photo by Lin Shuangwei/FZ News]

As a key event within the Bond with Kuliang: 2024 China-US Youth Festival, the special Kuliang Story sharing session took place on June 23 in Fuzhou, capital of Fujian province. Eight Kuliang Friends reunited, sharing their cherished memories and experiences in Kuliang with old friends, students, and faculty from various universities.

During the session, Chen Shiming, a former student of Anglo-Chinese College (ACC), fondly recalled his teachers Donald MacInnis, Mr. and Mrs. Pilley, and P. P. Wiant, who sponsored his education. All of them resided in Kuliang and profoundly influenced his life. "Even though I am 100 years old, I will always be a student of ACC, a student of Mr. MacInnis," he said.

Upon entering, Gail Harris immediately sought out Li Yiying, and their heartfelt reunion marked their fifth meeting since childhood. Li shared a photo album documenting their reunions from 2014 onwards, showcasing their enduring bond and happiness over the years.

Reflecting on their enduring friendship, Li remarked, "This is my American little sister." Despite being separated by distance and time, their friendship remains strong after 65 years.

Over a century ago, Kuliang, a renowned summer retreat in Fuzhou, hosted expatriates from over 20 countries, with some families establishing roots in China for multiple generations .

Lee Gardner, the great-nephew of Kuliang Story protagonist Milton Gardner, has deep ties to Fujian, where both his grandfather and father were born at the Fujian Medical University Union Hospital. 

Lee, born in Fujian alongside his four brothers and one sister, shares a deep family bond with the region. Milton Gardner's nine-year stay in Kuliang ended with a promise to return, a vow he couldn't fulfill. This strong attachment led different branches of the Gardner family to revisit over time, drawn by fond memories of Kuliang and Fuzhou.

In 2013, the Affiliated High School of Fujian Normal University introduced the Sino-American high school program. This initiative, featuring American educators guiding an annual cohort of 120 students, is committed to continuing the legacy of the Bond with Kuliang among the upcoming generation of highschoolers.

Kuliang is emerging as an international hub for fostering friendly exchanges between China and foreign nations, providing invaluable insights and promoting cultural understanding.