The marker is unveiled to commemorate the Doolittle Raid Wilder Landing Site. [Photo/WeChat account: quzhoufb] 

Quzhou in Zhejiang province launched a Sino-US cultural exchange event on April 16, marking the 82nd anniversary of the Doolittle Raid Rescue Operation.

The event welcomed descendants of rescued US pilots to revisit the aid site and attend the unveiling of the Doolittle Raid Wilder Landing Site marker in Fangyuan village, Jiangshan, a county-level city in Quzhou.

The Doolittle Raid, occurring on April 18, 1942, involved 16 B-25 bombers executing a daring assault on Japan. Due to various challenges, Lieutenant Colonel James H. Doolittle and his fellow pilots were forced to bail out or crash-land in China during their return journey, receiving selfless assistance from the people of Quzhou.

A series of efforts are underway in the city to continue uncovering more truths surrounding the event. A dedicated group of historical researchers, led by Zheng Weiyong, has conducted over 20 years of research, visiting over 200 villages, interviewing thousands of elderly individuals, and collecting physical evidence.

Zheng has authored two books  — Extraordinary Rescue: Quzhou and the Doolittle Raid and Landing in China, meticulously revising and confirming the landing or crash sites of the 16 aircraft and the fate of the 80 pilots involved in the Doolittle Raid.

On Oct 25, 2018, the Memorial Hall to the Doolittle Raid opened to the public, showcasing a remarkable collection of over 200 historical photographs, along with models of the Hornet aircraft carrier and B-25 bombers that were involved in the combat.

On Jan 28, 2024, the Quzhou Doolittle Historical Research Association was established in order to seek more truths of the historical event, affirming that the foundation of Sino-US relations is built by the people, forged in blood and fire.