World War II (WWII) hero Harry Moyer, along with a delegation of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, arrived in Beijing on Sunday to attend a Flying Tigers historical photo exhibition to honor that chapter in history, when Americans like himself and the Chinese fought side by side during wartime.

In late August, 102-year-old Moyer wrote a letter to Chinese President Xi Jinping, together with Flying Tigers veteran Mel McMullen and Chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation Jeffrey Greene, to mark the enduring bond between the two peoples.

In a reply letter dated September 12, Xi paid tribute to the veterans and their families for recounting the stories of the Flying Tigers to Chinese and Americans over the years, which he said epitomized the deep friendship between the two peoples that "withstood the test of blood and fire."

Moyer joined the American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force in 1944, a special combat team widely known by the name given to them by the Chinese, the "Flying Tigers." Moyer's squadron was primarily responsible for protecting Chinese airfields and the B-29 bombers stationed there tasked with counter-attacks on Japan.

(With input from Xinhua)