In his farewell speech on February 21, 1938, John Rabe, chairman of the International Committee for the Nanking Safety Zone, spoke highly of Chinese people who fought side by side with westerners: “... However — if we foreigners were thus successful — we were so — and we shall never forget it, because you — our Chinese friends stuck to us in good and true fellowship — the practical work of the different commissions being carried out by you. In fulfilling your duty, you were — we have never left that out of sight — in greater danger than we.”

Also in May, the Memorial Hall launched the first episode of the “Chinese Compatriots Supported Each Other” Series Feature Story. Episode 1 features Han Xianglin, Chinese secretary of John Rabe. Han was well versed in three foreign languages: English, German, and French. 86 years ago, when Nanjing was in a time of crisis, Rabe persuaded Han to leave, but he chose to stay without hesitation. Later Han served as the head of the refugee camp of Siemens and the director of the Food Commission of the International Committee for the Nanking Safety Zone. During that period, Han assisted Rabe in protecting numerous refugees. In late April this year, Ling Xi, deputy director of the Memorial Hall, led a team to Shanghai in search of Han’s daughter Han Yunhui and listened to her recall past experiences.

John Rabe and Han Xianglin (right) at the Nanjing office of Siemens

Ling Xi, deputy director of the Memorial Hall, visits Han Xianglin’s daughter Han Yunhui (left)

 “They stood up and volunteered to save refugees regardless of their own safety. They are great and noble,” wrote an internet user “Huang Haibo” after reading the report.

The next episodes in this series will focus on touching stories about other Chinese people who supported each other 86 years ago, including Chen Wenshu, Chen Feiran, Jiang Zhengyun, Qi Zhaochang, Wang Yaoting, Cheng Ruifang, and Chen Rong.