Melinda Liu - Beijing-based journalist and daughter of Tung-Sheng Liu, an Honorary Doolittle Raider

Alan Babington-Smith - founder of the Royal Asiatic Society Beijing (RASBJ)

Mei Zhang - founder of WildChina

In commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in the Pacific Theater, WildChina and Royal Asiatic Society Beijing invite you to a special webinar that brings to life the extraordinary stories of courage, sacrifice, and partnership between Chinese people and Western aviators.

History comes alive when we walk in the footsteps of those who came before us. Through travel, we not only visit the places where history unfolded but also connect with the stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience that define them. In this webinar, we’ll explore the remarkable tales of the Doolittle Raiders, whose daring raid brought hope to Quzhou, and the legendary Flying Tigers and Hump pilots who soared above Yunnan, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with their Chinese comrades. These stories—of heroes in the skies and on the ground—will guide us as we uncover the battlefields, airfields, and hidden corners of WWII China. 

Join us to discover how travel keeps these memories alive, ensuring that their legacy is remembered and celebrated. 

Register now to secure your spot for the webinar!

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About the speakers:

Featured guest, Melinda Liu 

Explore a unique perspective on US-China relations with Melinda Liu, a Beijing-based journalist and daughter of Tung-Sheng Liu, an Honorary Doolittle Raider renowned for aiding the downed pilots at great personal risk. Born and educated in the US, Melinda has lived and worked in China for nearly 30 years as Newsweek’s Beijing Bureau Chief. By helping establish the Doolittle Raid Memorial Hall in Quzhou, co-directing documentary films such as “Doolittle Raiders: A China Story” and advising Yunnan’s Flying Tigers Research Association, she aspires to illuminate the intertwined American and Chinese WWII histories. Join Melinda in an exploration of East and West in WWII China, bridging past sacrifices with present understanding in a compelling narrative journey. 

Featured guest, Alan Babington-Smith 

Alan Babington-Smith is another host of this program, utilizing his professional knowledge and connections as founder of the Royal Asiatic Society Beijing (RASBJ). Alan has lived and worked as a banker in the UK, China, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Poland and the Baltics, and has lived in China since 2000. His great-uncle commanded the WWII “Dambusters” in Europe and his aunt Constance Babington-Smith was a pioneer in interpreting WWII aerial photography in the UK and the USA. Alan has published the story of British missionary Dr. Stanley Babington, who built the Enze Medical Bureau in Linhai, where the Doolittle Raiders’ crew 7 received life-saving medical treatment. 

Host, Mei Zhang

Mei is a native of Yunnan province in southwest China. She holds an MBA from Harvard Business School and worked for McKinsey & Company until she found her true passion in sustainable travel. While serving as a consultant to The Nature Conservancy, Mei witnessed the push and pull between economic development and conservation of both nature and culture in Yunnan. She strongly believed that there was a for-profit solution to this—providing a sophisticated interpretation of Chinese culture and nature through sustainable and experiential travel. This revolutionary concept led to the creation of WildChina in 2000. Together with WildChina CEO Albert Ng, Mei has transformed the company into an award-winning business.  Mei is currently pursuing her PhD at University of California, Berkeley on conserving and rebuilding the Ancient Tea Horse Trail in China as a destination for recreation and outdoor education. With over 640k followers and counting on the Chinese social media platform Rednote, Mei’s thought leadership has fostered an engaged community of sustainable travel and mindful living.  

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Upcoming WWII journeys in China:

https://wildchina.com/tour/allied-victory-the-doolittle-raid-the-battle-of-shanghai/

https://wildchina.com/tour/allied-victory-the-flying-tigers-the-battle-of-hong-kong/