The ceremony for “The Daughter of The Peace General” New Book Release was held at the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the cultural landmark in Los Angeles, at 5pm, Saturday, Aug. 23, 2025.
The event started off with the Elegance brought on by MC Silvia. Anyone who has witnessed Silvia’s work knows the event is going to be at a high level. Anyone attending could feel the honor, respect and reverence the leaders of the American Chinese Community had for Madam Sujui. One by one speakers took to the stage and the podium to pay homage to this lady who became one of the most influential people in the American Chinese Community. Mr. Steve Shen, the Coordinator and main book editor, launched the event introducing the book’s origin, writing, and publishing, and the book team who helped this long development process to its wonderful release started the presentations. Anytime Steve and Professor Lin are putting on an event you can be assured it will be on time and professionally run and everyone will get a chance to share in a most orderly fashion.
It was an elegant event featuring the official book release of the author Madam Sujiu Zhang. Anyone attending could feel the honor, respect and reverence the leaders of the Chinese American Community had for Madam Sujiu. One by one speakers took to the stage and the podium to pay homage to this lady who has become one of the most influential people in the Chinese American Community. Mr. Steve Shen, the Coordinator and main book editor, launched the event by introducing the book’s origin, writing, and publishing, and the book team who helped this long development process to its wonderful release. Deputy Consul General Mr. Guo Zhiqiang, who spoke on behalf of the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Los Angeles and Consuls Ms. Wang Qi and Mr. Lu Junxie also attended the event.
As often happens at local Chinese events, presentations honoring Madam Sujiu and the book editing team members receive proclamations. There were several presentations and a number of photo ops on stage by distinguished political figures. Madam Sue Zhang, the author and Chief Planner of the book showed her amazing inner strength as this wonderful woman was just in the hospital on Sunday and was here standing at 90 years old and showed such resilience and gave an outstanding speech.
State Senator Bob Archuleta, who gave an eloquent speech presented certificates to the author and the Book Organizing and Editing Committee. He was followed by Mr. Jimmy Wu, Representative of Kathryn Barger, Los Angeles County Supervisor, and presented certificates to the author and the Book Organizing and Editing Committee. Then in an orderly fashion, Jorge Herrera Avila, Council Member of San Gabriel City, who spoke and presented certificates to the author and the Book Organizing and Editing Committee, and talked about the nature of Madam Sujiu being a true bridge builder between China and the US. He was followed by Andy Zhang, Chairman of Roundtable of Chinese American Organizations (RCAO). Then Charles Lu, Honorary Chairman of RCAO, Chief Planner of the Yellow River Cantata Concert which followed the Book Release event. Then President John Guan, National Association of Chinese Americans, Southern California Chapter. Mr. Charlie Zhang, well-known entrepreneur and philanthropist who has done so much for the quality of life and classical music and entertainment in Southern California.
Then Mr. Kevin Zhu, Chairman, Fengshang Chamber of Commerce USA, who spoke on behalf of all investors and sponsors for the book. As many of my readers know I call Kevin my twin brother of a different mother. We have been close for over 15 years. Then Dr. Mark Rafter took to the stage. I shared, when I was asked to edit the book, I was deeply honored and I immediately agreed. I had spent hours, even days editing the book and helping rewrite Chapter 22 of the book. I shared that Chapter 22 had a lot of meaning in that I interviewed the last 2 surviving Flying Tiger pilots and spent a great deal of time with their families and was so touched that Madam Sujiu took the time in her book to mention and bring honor to them. But that was nothing new for Madam Sujiu as the entire book was filled with honor. It was storytelling at its best. It told the story of things most never knew behind the scenes and how this woman came out of the shadows of her famous father The Peace General Zhang, and carved out her own legacy. And what a legacy it has been.
While editing the book, I shared that the more I read and reread the book the more I learned. As anyone in education knows, one must be a great learner to be a great teacher. I shared that the book so moved me as an International Professor, I have reached out to two colleges and suggested that this book should be a part of every history curriculum. Kids need to know this history. I count it a privilege to have any part in contributing to this book.
Ms. May Zhang, niece of Madam Sue Zhang, who spoke on behalf of Sue’s son and daughters and relatives followed and then Mr. Ye Feng, CEO of Thunder International Group, whose company provides logistic support for the book selling worldwide. The company has also made customized peripheral products for the book. Then Professor Lianlian Lin, the Book Organizing and Editing Committee member, who spoke on behalf of the committee to express their gratitude to all the participants, investors, sponsors, and supporters for the book. She said, what brings us all together today is not only Sue’s book, but also the common belief that we shall cherish the US-China friendship and peace with our actions. Without Professor Lin and Steve Shen this event would have not risen to the classy elegance that was there for all. Madam Sue Zhang presented a signed book to each book investor, along with a thank-you letter, and then had a group photo with the investors and the book organizing and editing committee members. The book editors Mr. Steve Shen and Dr. Lianlian Lin donated a copy of the new book to Ms. Su Chen, Head of the Richard C. Rudolph East Asian Library for the library collection. The Book Editing Committee has also arranged a book donation to libraries of Harvard University and Stanford University. In the after affair, State Senator Bob Archuleta pulled Dr. Mark aside and said that we are going to work on getting this book in the UC System. It was great to see how others caught the vision to keep the “bridge building” going.
If you have not bought a copy of this great story yet, get to Amazon and other locations where the book is being sold. My sense is that you will learn much from it.
