Chinese senior legislator meets widow of late U.S. general

Gu Xiulian, vice-chairperson of the Standing Committee of China's National People's Congress, met with American Chinese Anna Chan Chennault, or Chen Xiangmei, Tuesday in Beijing.

Chen is the wife of late U.S. general Claire Lee Chennault who headed the wartime Flying Tigers pilots to fight against Japanese invaders in China during World War II.

Chen worked as a war correspondent from 1944 to 1948 and married with Claire Lee Chennault, commander of U.S. 14th air fleet, in Shanghai. She became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1950.

In 1969, Chen was elected a member of the Republican National Finance Committee, and chairperson of the Republican National Heritage Council in 1979.

From 1981 to 1985, she worked as vice-chairperson of the White House Export Committee.

For her contribution to Sino-US relationship, Chen has been called "folk ambassador between China and the United States." She has also contributed greatly to Chinese education projects.

Source: Xinhua