An exhibition of photos honoring the cross-Pacific alliance of China and the United States during World War II also points the way toward future collaboration, Vice-Premier Liu Yandong told guests at the Chinese embassy in Washington on Wednesday.

"China and the US are the largest developing country and the largest developed one in the world," Liu said at the For Justice and Peace photo exhibit. "If we work together, we can become the anchor of the world's stability and the driver of world peace."

The Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries organized the exhibition to honor Chinese and US cooperation during the war and to remember the friendship forged in the fight against a common enemy.

The exhibit consists of 110 photos divided into four segments: China and the US in a Fight against Fascism, Americans the Chinese Define as Heroes, The Friendship the Chinese and Americans Shared, and Salute to Friendship.

Some of the historic photos were taken by US soldiers in China during the war, said Li Xiaolin, the association's president and the daughter of General Li Xiannian.

Li Xiannian, president of China from 1983 to 1988, is credited with saving a member of the famed Flying Tigers air squadron during the war.

"Seventy years ago, for justice and peace, Chinese and Americans formed a cross-Pacific alliance," Li Xiaolin said. "Today, 70 years later, we gather here for the same reason, justice and peace, and for the prosperity of the whole world."

China-US relations are currently at a critical stage, but the past holds promise for the future, Vice-Premier Liu said.

"We need to build on past achievements and see further progress. What has happened has proved that a healthy, stable and growing China-US relationship not only serves the fundamental interest of the two peoples, but is also crucial to the peace, stability and prosperity of Asia-Pacific and the world," she said.

Liu told Anna Chennault, widow of Flying Tigers founder Claire Lee Chennault, that she was pleased to attend such a meaningful event. She said she believes there will be more collaboration between China and the US in the future.

"As President Xi pointed out, everything that will help inject positive energy to the China-US relationship, we need to go for it. Otherwise, refrain," Liu said.

US Representative Rick Larsen, a co-chair of the US-China Working Group, also expressed optimism for the relationship.

"Even though sometimes the US and China have their differences, we do have a long relationship of working together, and there is a foundation, as result, that we can work from," Larsen said.

Liu Jingyang in Washington contributed to the story.

(China Daily 06/26/2015 page3)