San Francisco, April 5, 2018 — The Chinese American Citizens Alliance (C.A.C.A.) remembers Anna Chennault, a prominent figure in U.S.-Sino relations, who passed away on March 30, of complications following a stroke.  She was 94. Married to General Claire L. Chennault of the famed Flying Tigers air corps, she influenced the U.S.-China relationship from the Second World War, through the Cold War and Vietnam War era, and to the establishment of formal relations between Washington, D.C. and Beijing.

Born Chen Xiangmei on June 23, 1925 in Beijing, Mrs. Chennault was the scion of a prominent family of diplomats and scholars.  A journalism student fluent in English and Chinese dialects, she later worked as a correspondent covering Asia during wartime and revolution.  In 1947 she married the famed American general.

Mrs. Chennault was a life member of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance Washington, D.C. Lodge.  Many C.A.C.A. members remember how prominent she was in the Washington social and political scene in all things related to China.  “Asked to speak at an event during the formative years of the D.C. Lodge, Mrs. Chennault agreed only if women were allowed full membership (not just as auxiliary members) in the then male-dominated association.  The rules changed,” recalled Ted Gong, president of C.A.C.A. Washington, D.C. Lodge.

Today, the Alliance remembers Anna Chennault for her many roles critically impacting world history. C.A.C.A. also remembers her for moving the Alliance toward becoming a modern and gender-neutral association.