Rabe Memorial Hall: Ambassador Appealing Peace of China

(Translated by Zhou Jianrong, NFLS)

On 28th March 2014, German local time, the Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered
a speech at Krber Foundation of Germany. When it came to the history and
friendship between Chinese and Germans, Xi mentioned,
As a German saying goes, Mountains never meet, but people do. The Chinese and
the Germans have a long history of exchanges and profound friendship. As I speak
to you, I recall a German widely respected and loved in China. His name is John Rabe.
Over 70 years ago, Japanese troops invaded the Chinese city of Nanjing and
committed a heinous crime by killing more than 300,000 Chinese soldiers and
civilians. When the killing continued, Mr. Rabe contacted a dozen other foreigners in
Nanjing and set up the Nanjing Safety Zone, sheltering over 200,000 Chinese. Mr.
Rabe kept a detailed record of the massacre in his diary, which has become an
important evidence for study on this historical incident. In 1996, the John Rabe House
was jointly opened by China and Germany in Nanjing. At the end of last year,
renovation of the Rabe tomb in Berlin, funded by the Nanjing municipal government,
was completed. We in China cherish the memory of Mr. Rabe as a man who
demonstrated great compassion for life and love of peace.
In Xi's speech, he did not only highly praised Rabes international humanitarian
spirit, manifested the Chinese people's pursuit of peace, demonstrated the peaceful
diplomatic image of China, but also affirmed that Rabe Memorial Hall plays an
important role in spreading this strong will.
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Public Diplomatic Activities in Rabe Memorial Hall

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From the beginning of its public opening, the Hall have prepared a series public
diplomatic activities on preaching, education, research and communication aims.
These activities strengthen the image and international influences of the Hall. Till
now, it have been memorized by around 200 thousands visitors, including Former
President of Germany and Deputy Consul General of Japan in China. Just at the
finalization of the this essay, the Hall were honored to receive Mr. Johan Galtung, the
Norway politician and the international recognized father of peace studies. He will
visit the Hall companied by Mr. Ke Yinbing, Secretary of the Chahar Institute, and
Professor Li Chen, History Department of Nanjing University. Their visiting could be
regarded as the milestone for the peace studies to Rabe Memorial Hall in the future.
Here we would illustrate two examples which arbitrarily selected from the series
activities arranged in Rabe Memorial Hall,

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1. Sponsoring International Symposium of Peace

On 8th Jun 2014, we sponsored an activity in Nanjing University as Sixtieth

Anniversary of the Mortdeath of John Rabe and International Peace Conference. The
participants included over 120 experts and scholars not only from China universities
and colleges, but also from Germany, Canada, and Japan. They have an animated
discussion on international peace issue over 3 hours during the meeting.
The guests who attended the opening ceremony includes: Mr. Wang Wei, vice
minister of propaganda department of Nanjing government; Dr. Albrecht von der
Heyden, the consulate general of the Federal Republic of Germany in Shanghai; Mr.
Wang Weiguo, vice president of Siemens Ltd. China and general manager of
Jiangsu-Anhui Branch Company, chairman of Rabe Foundation Management
Committee of Nanjing University; Dr. Bernd Blumenberg, president of BASF-YPC Co.,
Ltd.; Mr. Bernhard Weber, senior vice president and CFO of BSH Appliances (China)
Co., Ltd.
The Assistant to Mr. Zhou Xian of Principal of Nanjing University gave the speech
that at the sixtieth anniversary of the mortdeath of John Rabe, we gathered here in
memory of the members of Nanjing Safety Zone headed by Mr. John Rabe, to carry
forward the spirit of international humanitarian and to preach world peace and
harmony.

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Its has been widely eulogized over 70 years about Rabes alms deed that helping
Nanjing people in the distress. With the setup of John Rabe and International Safety
Zone Memorial Hall, it play a full positive role as the platform not only in propaganda
and education, but also in culture exchanges, which facilitate to cherish to the
memory the kindheartedness of Rabe, to actively urge world peace and achieve the
progress of human civilization, said by Mr. Wang Wei in the speech.
Dr. Albrecht von der Heyden, the consulate general of the Federal Republic of
Germany in Shanghai, said that this activity aimed not only for commemorating the
past, but also revealing peoples future. He also recalled affectionately on German
Jewish refugees asylum scenes in Shanghai during World War II and expressed
gratitude to Chinese peoples relief charity.
2010 6 8

120 3

2. Press Conference of movie John Rabe

On 14th April 2009 afternoon, a press conference called Rabe Diary: Return
Nanjing, Return History hold at the Rabe Memorial Hall, hosted by Mr. Da Gang, the
famous presenter of Nanjing TV Station. The movie crew, including Mr. Wang
Zhonglei (main staff of the movie), Ms. Zhang Jingchu (actress as the schoolgirl of
Jinling Women College ), Mr. Li Ming (actor as the driver of Rabe), introduced their
impression during the movie production and took interviews by over 60 media
reporters. The representatives of founder of Rabe Memorial Hall and the survivors
who had been protected by John Rabe presented the conference as well.
This movie is the only one accredited movie on Nanjing Massacre topics, which
directed by an foreigner. Its global premiere took at the 59th Berlin Film Festival on
7th February that year. For the movie reflects historic records of Nanjing Massacre,

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the crew faced many difficulties in seeking Japanese actors. At the last, it is Mr.
Teruyuki Kagawa, who bravely decided to step out to take it. Its rare of Japanese to
know John Rabe. Its a complicated movie performed a compounded facets. But Im
still willing to introduce it to Japanese audiences, he said.
Its a great honor of Chinese filmmaker to produce it. Consider the lofty position
of the content expressed in the movie, we renamed the movie for John Rabe into
Diary of Rabe. When it release to the public in this summer, we hope it let Chinese
audiences to experience the warm of humanity for the history and to gain the power
from persistency of Chinese people, said Mr. Wang Zhonglei, president of Huayi
Brothers Film Investment Co., Ltd., the Chinese producer of the film.
2009 4 14
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International influence of Rabe Memorial Hall

When someone has likened the current China-Japan relationship to

Germany-Britain relations before the First World War, Mr. Wang Yi, China's Minister
of Foreign Affairs, noted that , it is better to learn from Germany's case after
World War II, rather than making use of Germany before World War I." Rabe
Memorial Hall embodied the China-Japan and China- Germany relationship, and the
distinct attitudes on World War II of Germany and Japan. The Hall is the theme
pavilion on Nanjing Massacre and historical witness on Japanese fascist invasion of
China, and it crystallizes the friendship between China and Germany.

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1. Historical witness of Nanjing Massacre

On 26 December 2013, the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the
war-linked Yasukuni shrine, where the souls of the 14 Class-A war criminals were
enshrined there. After that, a small number of Japanese right wing forces distorted
the history again by arguing the victims volume in Nanjing Massacre. Even more,
they vainly attempted to deny the historic fact of military aggression and the Nanjing
Massacre. All these misdeeds not only grossly trample on the sentiment of Chinese
people and other Asian victim countries people, but also aroused highly alert from
international community.
Therefore, International Press Centre of China Foreign Ministry and the Foreign
Affairs of Jiangsu Province jointly invited 45 foreign journalists based in China 45 to
visit Nanjing. They were from 26 news agencies including CNN, WSJ, Reuters, AFP,
Asahi news, Jiji Press, MBS, Yonhap News Agency. Their itinerary covered the
Memorial Hall of the Victims in Nanjing Massacre by Japanese Invaders, the Nanjing
Municipal Archives, the John Rabe and International Safety Zone Memorial Hall of
Nanjing University, and the Nanjing Anti-Japanese Aviation Martyrs Memorial Hal.
On 20 Feb around 9 am, the journalists visit Rabe Memorial Hall. For better
realizing the historical facts on Japan's war of aggression against China and the
essence of reviving Japanese militarism, besides introducing regular exhibition
documents, the Hall integrally presented its stored archiving documents mainly as:
Rabes manuscript of Bombing Nanjing , Historical Collection on 1937 Nanjing
Massacre, and refugees name list protected by John Rabe.
Facts speak louder than words. During the activities over 3 hours, principally lined
with historical material and testified by historical documents, it generated intensive
feedbacks:
We dont know John Rabe before. We have a very deep impression in the
visiting and interviewing. - Marinin Anton (Tass); Phillips Tom (The Daily
Telegraphy)
The victim volume is a misery fact. No further argument just for political
aims.
-Miller Charles (CNN), McKenzie David (CNN)
On that day, John Ruwitch of Reuters gave the report on the news column as
China urge Japan face up to Nanjing Massacre
Mr. Li Li, the journalist of Ta Kun Pao, gave the visiting activities report at A9
layout of the newspaper on Feb 21st, titled Uncover scars to realize the
history and today of China-Japan. His handwritten letter to Rabe Memorial
Hall also attached to report. As a journalist reporting Chineses fpreign policy
over a long-term, I am very appreciated of your serious and responsible
attitude to history. May the truth over falsehood forever. the letter wrote.
As reported and commented by news agencies, facing concrete historical
documents and archives on murders, if Japan continues attempts at denial and
refuses to repent, not only will people not understand the truth but the international
community will be justified in concerns about the country's future. China's Foreign

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Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying remarked on these series activities on Feb 24th.
History can never be forgotten, she added, urging Japan to face and learn from
history so as to look to the future.
12 26 14

26 45

2 20 9

-Marinin Anton
Phillips Tom
CNNMiller Charles
McKenzie David
John Ruwitch

2 21 A9

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2. Crystal of Sino-German friendship

The construction solidified the history, and it is the eras epitome. Mr. Rabe
protected and relieved Chinese refugees in the spirit of humanitarian. As the old
saying goes, Dripping, the smallest favor, spring in return. Chinese people also hold
their hands to Rabe in his toughest moment. In February 1938, Rabe repatriated to
Germany. His unvarnished conscience impelled him continue to release the inhuman
violence of Japanese troop. As a result, Rabe was threatened and interrogated by
Nazi and lived under dire situation. Chinese government did not forget this expatriate

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who had been addressed respectfully as Living Buddha. When Chinese people
learned about Rabes misery encountering, the Rabe foundation committee was
setup under the proposal of city councilors. The committee raised money from bank,
money shop, department store, local charitable institution and citizens taken relief
and protection before. In several days, the sum of 100 million equivalent to $US
2000 were collected, and were managed to transfer to Germany for aiding Rabe.
Due to the poor condition in Germany postwar, all foods were controlled instead
of available for people to purchase by money. When Nanjing mayor Mr. Shen Yi heard
this information in March 1948, in express deep gratitude of Nanjing citizens, he
swiftly procured 4 big food packages from Switzerland arranged to deliver to Rabe.
Just these foods helped Rabe family transited the toughest Berlin Crisis and
comforted Rabe in the evening of his life.
On the day of the opening of Rabe Memorial Hall, facing the house bear the
friendship between China and Germany, all sorts of feelings well up in the guest's
mind. Dr. Thomas Rabe, professor of Heidelberg University School of Medicine,
presented a bunch of followers to the sculpture of his grandfather Rabe. My
grandfather is always the example of whole family. His brave deed in protecting
Chinese people in the World WAR II devoted the responsibilities as a man. He lives in
China 30 years. He knows China and he loves Chinese people. These are the reasons
he risk his life to help Chinese friends. said Thomas Rabe. Its the support from
foreign friends of International Committee for the Nanking Safety Zone that let my
grandfather to achieve saving over 250,000 Chinese civilians. This is the common
action of international peace activists, not individual behavior. Rabe Memorial Hall is
a platform to record Sino-German friendship. It will continuously contribute to help
people to understand and remember historical fact and to avoid conflicts, sincerely
remarked by Thomas Rabe.
Dr. Wolfgang Rohr, German Consul-General in Shanghai, said, "It is with respect
and humility that we view the achievements of John Rabe. We may rightfully be
proud of a German who became a citizen of Nanjing and stayed on in difficult times
to help protect his Chinese friends. Humility, is for soon after that the guilt in the
name of Germany fell on this Nanjing Good Man and casted a long-term shadow.
We are fairly proud of this German who has been lived in Nanjing. He selected to stay
to protect his Chinese friends in the difficult time. There are more than he can better
represent the German-Chinese friendship? "

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Why the Hall has a wide internationally impact

Format reflects contents. The reason why Rabe Memorial Hall could produce grand
impacts in international community is that the activities in the Hall reflect the
contents of peace, which match the pursuit of peace of people. Though peace is the
mainstream of modern world, local war, violent conflict and terrorist events were still
there for the interests of race, religion and groups. Further, some people assert to
solve these conflicts by countering violence with violence, which worsen the original
complicate contradictions and bringing deep disaster to regional people. The
activities arranged by Rabe Memorial Hall praised Rabe as a peaceful warrior and
interpreted diary of Rabe as a peace manifesto. They match the theme of world of
today and conform to the development trend of the times.

1. Rabe, a Worrior of Peace

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The identification of John Rabe is a merchant. When the people facing menace of
the war, he came our boldly and exerted the potential as a peace diplomatist,
showing himself to the world as a valiant of peace. Many foreigners fleed when
Japanese troop approaching Nanjing. But Rabe rejected all the advices about
evacuation from government, company, his family and friends. He selected to stand
on with Chinese people and acted as a peace envoy. For avoiding the unnecessary
sacrifices, he shuttled back and forth between Chinese and Japanese. Comparing the
military might of both sides, Rabe help the Committee to offer a peace proposal to
try to persuade both sides to disarm at the same time.
On 9 December 1937, the telegraphy numbered one and two, which signed by
Rabe as the chairman of "The International Committee for Nanjing Safety Zone",
cabled both to Chiang Kai-shek and to Japanese government located in Tokyo and
Shanghai. In telegraphy, Rabe proposed, No military actions in the city. For achieving
this aim, the Committee proposed that all armed forces nearby Nanjing to cease fire
for 3 days. In these 3 days, Japanese forces staying at current position halt and wait,
and Chinese forces withdraw from the city. Considering the large number of
compromised the plight of civilians, the Committee requests to respond to this
proposal immediately.
After Japanese troop occupied Nanjing, for better play the role as providing relief
to refugees, the Committee made an utmost effort to appeal civilians and even
Chinese soldiers to put down weapons to seek asylum in the Safety Zone.
As the chairman of the Committee and head of Nazi which quite useful to Japan
bureau, Rabe wrote the letters to Japanese embassy frequently to report the
atrocities of Japanese troop. He covered Nazi flag on the bomb shelter to warn
Japanese bombardment aircrafts, took the advantage of his Nazi armband and his
German identity to deter Japanese soldiers armed to the teeth. In the letter he wrote
to his offspring at postwar, he clearly precept them not to hate or to revenge each
other. The atrocities can forgive, but not forget. he said. This is the peace view of
Rabe. Because of his broad mind and compassionate spirit, Mr. Rabe became the
patron saint in Nanjing massacre.

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2. The Diaries of John Rabe, Peace Manifesto

John Rabe documented his seen and heard into the diary during the war-time from
9 September 1937 to 26 February 1938. This precious diary can be regarded as a
day-to-day chronicle of the atrocities of the Japanese army. The one who does not
remember history is bound to live through it again, pointed out by George
Santayana, the Spanish-American philosopher. Based on this point of view, this diary
is a peace manifesto as well.
1937 9 19 1938 2 26

On 12 December 1996, Mrs. Ursula Reinhardt, the granddaughter of John Rabe,

published the Diaries of John Rabe to the world, which aroused a wide attention.
During 24th-28th December 1996, the newspaper People Daily gave a series report
about the background and contents of the Diary. Since August 1997, the Diary was
published in China, Germany, Japan, USA and Great Britain by version of Chinese,
German, Japanese and English. In around 2,100 pages of diary, 500 cases were
recorded in Nanjing Massacre. Besides diary, Rabe carefully kept kinds of reports,
letters and 80 pieces pictures photographed on the site with detail explanations. At
the preface of Rabe Diary, Dr. Hu Sheng wrote, In recent research materials on
Nanjing Massacre, Rabe Diary is the best one both in volume of content and in well
protection. Rabes motherland was the allied country to Japan, and he himself was
the head of Nazi party in Nanjing. These statuses made his records played an
irreplaceable role. Standing on the neutral standpoint and speaking by facts, the
Diary gave an objective appraisal on the actual situation of China and Japan sides
during the war and right and wrong in political point of view. Nanjing Massacre is the
most brutal outrage in human history. Recording this phase of history to avoid it
happen again is a great contribution to human peace.
1996 12 12
1996 12
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As the luminary for maintaining international peace, in Oct 2009, ranked after Dr.
Norman Bethune, Rabe was successfully listed as the second of Top Ten Int'l Friends
of China, standing for deeply esteemed by Chinese people. Therefore, Dr. Thomas
Rabe, the grandson of Rabe, was warmly received in the Great Hall of the People by
Mr. Jian Qinglin, the chairman of the National Committee of CPPCC.
Undergoing baptism of blood and flames of war, nowadays the Rabe Memorial
Hall is crystallizing universal fraternity and peace. Paralleled being listed into the
National Cultural Relic Protection Unit and Museums for Pease, the Rabe Memorial
Hall are frequently amplifying the peaceful voices at the international stage, which
manifesting the continuously pursuit for peace of Chinese people.
Rabe Memorial Hall is becoming a key communicator as the ambassador of
appealing peace by China.
2009 10

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