DAVID E. Feldman's new book, Born of War, takes me back to the year 1944 and to the city of Kunming in China's southwest, where the US 14th Air Force were stationed during World War II.

On its cover the picture of Chinese leader Mao Zedong standing side by side with American GI Private First Class Howard Hyman reminds me of the sense of victory that swelled through Chongqing, China's wartime capital, right after V-J Day in 1945.

Though the book contains elements of fiction, it is mostly a genuine account based on a true story of American-Chinese friendship. As one of the people who took part in the reality of wartime Kunming, I can vouch for the book's authenticity.

Born of War chronicles the journey of a group of young American soldiers who arrived in Kunming as part of the allied forces, fighting with the Chinese to repel Japanese invaders. On their arrival they felt depressed by this city with its streets full of ragged beggars while Kuomintang officials made fortunes by selling US military supplies. Some of them eventually caught wind of China's liberated areas, which were under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC), and where things were said to be different.

In search for more information about the CPC, they came into contact with a group of English-speaking Chinese university students, including myself, from Xinan Lianda (Southwest Associated University) in Kunming, also known as the "Bulwark of Democracy" in those days.

We met almost every fortnight for a year and half, talking about our respective countries and discussing the ongoing war and what the postwar world might be like. We certainly had differences here and there. But we were closely bound by one common aspiration: to do our bit to help establish a just and peaceful world. These contacts would go on to become a significant part of each participant's life, and for some, the meetings were instrumental in shaping their outlook on the future.

Demobilized and about to leave for home, three of the American GIs ─ Howard Hyman, Edward Bell and Jack Edelman ─ still wanted to see the liberated areas. They made their way to the CPC office in Chongqing, where Mao Zedong was negotiating with Chiang Kai-shek on the future of China after the war.

The trio were warmly received, and were later invited to dine with Mao himself. At that unforgettable dinner, Mao asked the Americans to tell people back home what they had seen in China. In his view, Chinese and Americans had much in common, and a great friendship was bound to develop between the two peoples. After dinner, Mao posed for a photo with the three young Americans in the courtyard outside his office. This picture has now become a historic relic symbolizing friendship between the Chinese and American peoples. Copies are on display in museums in Chongqing and Beijing.

As years went by, China changed dramatically. The Chinese people founded the People's Republic, and Chiang Kai-shek fled to the island of Taiwan with his followers in 1949. The huge amounts of arms and money the US government had lavished on Chiang could not save him from the hatred of his own people.

Instead of accepting this, the US government tried various means of strangling the newborn People's Republic in its cradle. Sino-American relations entered a long period of confrontation and hostility. Our relations with the young Americans were suspended, though nothing in the world could erase the memories of friendship we mutually cherished.

The thaw did not come until US President Richard Nixon came to visit Beijing in 1972. Finally the diplomatic relations between the two countries were resumed in 1979.

I was lucky enough to be chosen as one of the first Chinese correspondents to be stationed in the US. In Washington DC I had the first reunion with my American friends after more than 30 years. We had been so young when we parted, and now we were all in our 50s. But suddenly the years fell away, and it was as if our last meeting in Kunming was only yesterday. Ever since that day of renewal our friendship has deepened and developed ever since.

Feldman first learned of this story at the age of 19 when he visited China in 1976 as a member of Howard Hyman's extended family. Deeply impressed by this unusual and compelling friendship, he began digging out all the possible details through his uncle Hyman and Hyman's American and Chinese friends. After ten years of unremitting efforts, he finally succeeded in bringing this fascinating tale to the public.

Born of War, of course, is more than just an interesting story. It is a reminder that we can learn so much more about politics and history when we look at the human bonds that develop in the midst of major events. If the book indicates anything, it is that in spite of ups and downs in relations between Chinese and US governments during the past years, the two peoples, who have so much in common, have not and will never let their friendship be infringed upon.

This book seems particularly relevant now, when some in the White House believe they should take care of their "protectorate" Taiwan, an island province of China. They should be reminded of the history and geography of China. At the very least, they should read Born of War.

By ZHANG YAN
The author is the first People's Daily correspondent to be stationed 1979-1981 in the United States. Before his retirement, Zhang, now 79, worked as the executive deputy editor-in-chief of China Reconstructs, now China Today.