A commemorative conference celebrating the 120th anniversary of the birth of U.S. journalist Edgar Snow was held on May 30 at Peking University in Beijing.

Snow, born in 1905 in Missouri, gained prominence for his pioneering journalism that provided early insights into the Communist Party of China (CPC) during a tumultuous period in the nation's history.

In 1936, amidst China's internal conflicts and external threats, Snow traveled to the remote headquarters of the CPC in Shaanxi Province.

There, he conducted detailed interviews with major Party leaders, including Mao Zedong.

His in-depth reporting resulted in the publication of "Red Star Over China" in 1937, a work that offered Western audiences an authentic view of the Chinese Red Army and its objectives, aiming to improve the lives of the Chinese populace.

Following the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Snow returned to the country on three occasions, receiving warm welcomes from Chinese leaders.

He maintained a strong interest in China's progress and promoted friendly relations between the United States and China.

At the opening ceremony of the conference, Fu Hua, president of Xinhua News Agency, commended Snow as a principled friend of the Chinese people and an important figure in U.S.-China relations.

Fu stated, "Through his cross-border, cross-cultural journalistic practice, Snow provided the world on both sides of the Pacific with an accurate, multi-dimensional and panoramic view of China."

Samuel Colin Maclean, a relative of Snow and representative of the Fairbank Center for Chinese Studies at Harvard University, emphasized the values personified by Snow’s work, such as honesty and courage.

Maclean remarked, "Snow believed communication -- unsentimental, unfiltered -- was the only way to bridge the gap between the two countries and to prevent unnecessary conflict."

This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Sun Hua, director of Peking University’s China Center for Edgar Snow Studies (CCESS), highlighted the significance of Snow's book in fostering a united front against Japanese aggression among the Chinese populace.

He noted that Snow's work contributed to U.S. military observers traveling to northern Shaanxi to support China's anti-fascist struggles, thus rallying international backing.

Fu Hua urged attendees to carry forward Snow's legacy by fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding between nations, stating, "Let us carry forward Snow's spirit, bridging not only geographical distance but also divides in ideologies and worldviews."

The event, co-organized by Peking University and the Xinhua Institute, attracted Snow's relatives, close friends, seasoned journalists, and experts in international communication and Edgar Snow studies.

Discussions included strategies for enhancing China's international communication system and the continued relevance of Snow's principles in addressing contemporary global challenges.