By ZHANG YAN

Maryann Mahaffey and her husband Hy Dhooha with the author at Detroit airport.

TRUE friendship has no national boundaries. This is the conclusion I have drawn from personal experience over the past 80 years of my life.

Back in 1944, during the Second World War, I was a student at the Southwest Associated University in Kunming, capital of southwest China's Yunnan Province. It was there that I happened to meet a group of Americans serving with the US 14th Air Force. They were sent over as part of the Allied Forces fighting the Japanese invaders. These upright young men were shocked at seeing the streets of Kunming swarming with ragged beggars, while officials of the ruling Kuomintang government made fortunes out of U.S. war supplies. They had, however, heard of areas in the north led by the Chinese Communists where things were quite different. The group, including Sergeant Edward Bell and Private Howard Hyman, were eager to find out the truth about China. By chance, they met a group of Chinese students, including myself, who spoke English, and were involved in student movements for democracy and freedom. Our two groups instantly became good friends. For a year and a half, we would meet about twice a month, either for a picnic, or somewhere we could carry on serious discussions. We talked about our respective countries, the ongoing war, and what the post-war world might be like. All of us had ideals. We cared about the future of humanity.

Frank and warm, these young Americans, altogether eight of them, left a positive impression on me. My contacts with them opened a window through which I could catch a glimpse of the young, yet developed country that I was soon eager to explore. I began reading books my new friends had given me about the history of the American people and their struggle for independence. I looked forward to the day when I could go and see their country for myself.

The Ross Reunion of 1993.

My dream took time to come true, owing to the twists and turns of history. First there was V-J Day in 1945, then the conclusion of the Chinese civil war and victory of the Communists over the Kuomintang in 1949. The US did not recognize the PRC until 1979. My relations with the American GI friends were therefore suspended, but nothing could dim the memories we all cherished.

Our friendship caused us mutual suffering. During the U.S. McCarthy witch hunt of the 1950s, many of my American friends were blacklisted and had great difficulty finding work, simply because of their positive attitude toward New China. Ed Bell was forced to bury the photos he had of himself with Chinese friends. For us in China, the ultra leftist rule of the notorious Cultural Revolution (1966-76) was also a source of fear and suffering. At that time it was a crime ever to have been friendly with Americans. But no matter how heavy the pressure, in our hearts we never ceased to believe in the value of our friendship with those good-hearted people.

After the normalization of US-China relations in 1979, I had the good fortune to be one of the first two journalists from China's leading newspaper, the People's Daily, to be stationed in Washington DC. On my arrival, a welcoming bouquet of tulips from Bell, Hyman and their wives awaited me in my hotel room. The next day, the four of them insisted on flying in from New York (400 miles away) because, as they said on the phone: "We've waited more than 30 years, we can't wait a day longer!" On meeting, we hugged one another, speechless, with tears in our eyes. We had been so young when we parted, and now we were well over 50. But then the years fell away, and it was as if our last meeting in Kunming had been only yesterday.

Jordan and Mary Phillips send another shipment of medical books to China.

After 1979, my friendship with these American airmen deepened. During the last two decades, despite the ups and downs of official contacts, we have become brothers without national boundaries, and share our views frankly. My friends' penetrating analyses have always been of inestimable help to me in presenting a true, in-depth picture of America to the Chinese people. When I was in the U.S., Howard and Ed's apartments in New York were like second homes to me. They each gave me my own set of keys. We are all happy beyond description that our friendship has carried on through to our next family generations. Last year David Feldman, Howard Hyman's nephew who came to China with his uncle in 1976, published his book "Born of War -- Based on A True Story of American-Chinese Friendship".

My friendship with Americans that began with the American GIs I met so long ago has proliferated. During my two years as a journalist in the US, I traveled extensively. Later, as a Fulbright Scholar, I taught for two terms at the University of Pittsburgh in Johnstown, and have been back on visits at least once a year since. My main achievement over all this time has been to become friends with a good number of ordinary Americans. These include colleagues and neighbors, all of them sincere, candid and warm people, in the small city of Johnstown, Pennsylvania. We open our hearts to each other just as Chinese bosom friends do. The national board and local chapters of the US China People's Friendship Association have been of great help in this respect.

Bee Lavery loves my grandchildren.

When I first visited Los Angeles in 1979 Bee Lavery was the city government Chief of Protocol. Her efficiency in arranging to meet my needs as a journalist was one of the main reasons why my trips were so successful. Her warmth toward Chinese people deeply impressed me and made us closer. Instead of putting me in an hotel, Bee let me stay with other USCPFA members, so that I might become familiar with the lives of everyday Americans. This was particularly fortuitous, as two of them, David Gunnel and Marilyn Harris, became two of my very best friends. When confrontations occurred between local Chinese immigrants from Taiwan and the mainland, Bee always stuck to the one China policy. In her efforts toward promotion of US/China friendship she later became involved with the Los Angeles-Guangzhou Sister City Association. Ever since then we have maintained contact, and remained firm friends. When my daughter went to California in 1986, Bee looked after her as she would have an adopted daughter.

Whenever Jordan Phillips, professor of obstetrics and gynecology, and his wife Mary come to Beijing, I have the honor and joy always to be the first person they call, and a hearty reunion follows. This close relationship has lasted over the 20 years since we first met in California. Jordan and Mary are an extraordinary couple who have dedicated themselves to the improvement of China's medical care. Medical Books for China International (which they launched) has already sent to China 1,280 tons of books and instruments donated from all over the world. In order to promote this project, and provide the opportunity for exchanges of experience, they have made 76 trips to China within 23 years, attending and organizing medical congresses.

Detroit's predominantly black population has elected Maryann Mahaffey - a white woman, as president of the Detroit City Council four times. At my first interview with her I was immediately struck by her outstanding character, and the humane and caring way she dealt with her constituents. After more in-depth talks, when it became clear we had so much in common as regards our outlook on social relations and world affairs, we became close friends. When I asked one black woman in Detroit: "Why did you vote for a white woman to be the President of the City Council?" her answer was: "To me her color is irrelevant. All I know is that she is always there when I need help."

Tese Neighbor at home with her son.

My friend Martha is an oral historian, and her home in Maryland is the de facto headquarters for three generations of the 30-strong Ross clan. Though spread all over America, they are bound by ties of family love, and have grand reunions every year. Although this is still a common phenomenon in China, it is rare within American society. This is probably why Martha insisted on acquainting us with the Ross family, so that we would be able to join in their reunions. We appreciated these invitations beyond measure, and find that, as far as family ties are concerned, there is little difference between Americans and Chinese.

David Fyock speaks fluent Chinese and his Taiwan-born wife, Kim, writes Chinese poetry. They were very popular among Chinese students in Pittsburgh. We have been close friends since the 1980s, and talk freely on all topics. We sometimes agree and sometimes don't, but can at least agree to disagree. In a recent email, David bemoaned that so many people hate Americans, admitting: "Zhang Yan, there are few people I share my feelings with as I do with you in this letter."

Tese Neighbor is the youngest of my American friends. When we first met in Los Angeles in 1979 she was only 24. During the Christmas holidays it was she that volunteered to drive a hundred miles so that I could interview the legendary farm workers' leader, Cesar Chavez, and on the same day meet the top managers of a giant agribusiness in dispute with its workers. We had never met before but that full, exhausting, unforgettable day marked the beginning of a long friendship between Tese and me. During the drive, we talked about everything and found that we were working toward the same goal--to promote mutual understanding and friendship between peoples. Ever since then our relationship has become closer and closer, extending to include members of our two families. We argue over certain issues, but this has never adversely influenced our friendship. Tese has taught Asian studies in colleges in Seattle, and has taken more than 30 trips to China and Asia at large. She has worked in Beijing both as a magazine editor and English language teacher. On her most recent trip she brought a group of 17 Americans, including 8 children, to play "go" (Chinese chess) with Chinese children. This was with the aim of building stronger, more positive connections between the US and China. As our house in Beijing is her "second home" she brought the whole group, including her two children, over for jiaozi, and we spent the afternoon reminiscing our eventful and close friendship.

I am happy to acknowledge that this kind of true friendship has enriched my life enormously.

ZHANG YAN is former deputy editor-in-chief of China Today.