Holocaust victim

Meet Ho Feng-Shan, a Chinese diplomat stationed in Vienna during World War 2, whose unwavering courage saved the lives of numerous Jewish people by granting them visas, despite strict orders to the contrary. Often likened to the legendary "Chinese Schindler," his name should forever be etched in history. Though exact records have been lost, it is well-documented that during the first half of his diplomatic tenure, he issued close to 2,000 visas, while some estimates suggest the number could be nearly 4,000.

Xu Xin, a professor of Jewish studies at Nanjing University, lauds Ho's actions, stating, "Most people nowadays believe that he saved more than 5,000 lives at that time. Moreover, Ho stands out as one of the first diplomats to take decisive action to rescue the Jews."

One of the lives touched by Ho was Lilith-Sylvia Doron, who encountered him serendipitously when Hitler arrived in Vienna on March 11, 1938. As violent attacks against Jewish people escalated under Nazi propaganda, Ho, who knew Doron's family, bravely accompanied her home, ensuring their safety by relying on his diplomatic status as a shield against the Nazis. He continued to visit and protect them from harm throughout that perilous time.

Another moving account comes from Gerda Gottfried Kraus, whose husband sought refuge at the Chinese consulate after Reichspogromnacht (pogrom night). Though he couldn't enter the consulate, he managed to toss his application into the car of a diplomat arriving there. Fortunately, the application reached the hands of the consul-general, Ho Feng-Shan, who promptly called them and issued the vital visas.

In an act of extraordinary dedication, when the Nazis occupied the embassy building owned by Jewish people, Ho set up a new office at his expense, ensuring the visa issuance process continued uninterrupted. He persisted until May 1940, when he was compelled to return to China under orders.

Ho Feng-Shan's incredible legacy continued even after the war, as he lived until 1997, passing away at the age of 96. In 2000, his selfless heroism was finally recognized, and he was posthumously bestowed the esteemed title of "Righteous Among the Nations" by Israel—a fitting tribute to a man whose bravery and compassion knew no bounds.

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