Li Linsi

Li Linsi

Li Linsi ( Chinese 厉 麟 似 / 厲 麟 似 , Pinyin Lì Línsì; * February 1896 in Hangzhou , Zhejiang Province , † October 1970 in Shanghai ) was a modern Chinese educator, diplomat and scholar who is considered one of the key figures of modern Chinese culture - and diplomatic history was recognized.

He was known for his efforts to save hundreds of Jews who fled to Shanghai during World War II . As a diplomatic advisor to Chiang Kai-shek in the 1930s, Li was an important facilitator of Sino-German relations. He was a co-founder of some of the most influential Chinese organizations, including the United Nations China Department. Li has been referred to as China's Mahatma Gandhi and was the leader of China's nonviolent resistance to Japanese aggression. As a human bridge connecting Chinese and European cultures, Li has made a great contribution to helping the West understand ancient Chinese philosophies and introducing many Western advanced thoughts to China. His eldest son is Li Shengjiao , a well-known Chinese diplomat and lawyer. Li died in Shanghai during the Cultural Revolution .

life and career

Early years of life

Li Linsi was born in February 1896 into a respected Chinese literary family in Hangzhou. Li's father, Li Liangyu (厉良玉), was a Qing Dynasty official, educator, and renowned artist who co-founded the Xiling Society of Seal Arts, one of the most important traditional Chinese arts associations. His fourth great-grandfather, Li E (厉 鹗), was a great poet and scholar during the Qing Dynasty who was recognized as a leader in Qing Dynasty poetry. Li was a descendant of Jiang Ziya (姜子牙), the legendary Chinese prime minister during the Zhou dynasty.

After graduating from Tongji University in 1915, Li continued his training in Japan and Germany and graduated from Sophia University, Jena University and Heidelberg University.

Li traveled extensively across Europe and came into contact with a number of Western progressive ideas and met a handful of promising Chinese students, including Zhou Enlai (周恩来) and Zhu De (朱德) who later became leaders of the People's Republic of China. Li was also close friends with the German sinologist Richard Wilhelm .

He took part in Germany's first China Institute at the University of Frankfurt, a research institution founded by Richard Wilhelm. The facility was intended to encourage the West to better understand Chinese cultures. Li helped the institution launch several journals on Chinese studies such as China, the China-Germany Yearbook, and East Asia Review. He also helped organize various seminars and exhibitions on Chinese studies for the institution.

Career under the nationalist government

Li returned to China in 1930 and joined the government as an education officer on the recommendation of Chiang Kai-shek (蒋介石), the then leader of the Republic of China. He later became Chiang's diplomatic adviser.

In the 1930s, Li actively promoted communication, cooperation and coordination between China and the League of Nations - the predecessor of the United Nations - the first international organization whose main mission was to maintain world peace. He suggested that in order to better fight Japanese aggression, China should try to draw more support and positive public opinion from the international community through the League of Nations. In 1932, to strengthen ties between China and the League of Nations, Li served as the Chinese government's cultural and educational representative on an official visit to Europe. The successful six-month trip promoted cultural exchange and cooperation between China, Europe and the League of Nations.

Li effectively promoted diplomatic relations between China and the League of Nations and played an important role in the work of several Chinese affiliates of the League of Nations, including the League of Nations of China and the China Institute for Worldwide Cultural Cooperation in the League of Nations. Li also helped found the United Nations' Chinese branch after the League of Nations was replaced by the United Nations.

Li played a crucial role in the existence and development of the German military mission in China and was an important facilitator of Sino-German relations in the 1930s. He was Chang's right-hand man for China's diplomacy towards Germany and a link between top Chinese politicians and the German military advisory group.

In 1933 Li helped convince the former Chinese commander in chief of the German army, Hans von Seeckt , to make an official visit to China and convinced him to accept Chiang Kai-shek's offer to be his military advisor and head of the German military mission. This step helped take the relationship between China and Germany to a new level. In 1935, diplomatic relations between China and Germany were raised from a ministerial level to an ambassadorial level.

On his first visit to China, Seeckt gave Chiang a book entitled A Soldier's Thoughts, which he considered to be a representative work of his own. The translator of the official Chinese version of the book was Li. The book then became an important reference work for the Chinese military.

Aid to the Jews during World War II

After the outbreak of the Chinese War with Japan (1937-1945) in 1937, Li resigned from his post in the central government and took the advice of his friend Jiang Baili to move his family from Nanjing to Shanghai. During the Isolated Isles of Shanghai during World War II, Li's family lived in the Shanghai International Settlement on Ximo Road, an area that was not occupied by Japanese invaders but was in control of British and American forces.

A respected figure in China's cultural and diplomatic circles, Li was a professor at Jinan National University - the first university in China to recruit foreign students. During this time, large numbers of Jews, mainly from Germany and Austria, fled to Shanghai to escape the Nazis. Li was known to help the Jews in Shanghai's Jewish community.

With his personal connections and resources, Li helped make Shanghai a better place for these Jewish refugees. For a long time Shanghai was the only place in the world that offered unconditional refuge for Jewish refugees fleeing the Nazis.

Li was deeply touched by the tragedy of these people and contributed as much as possible to the Jewish community than a wealthy local who lived in Germany for more than a decade. He even protected several Jewish refugees who were his friends in Germany.

With the help of Li and other wealthy natives, a modern Jewish community emerged: more apartments were set up for Jewish refugees, businesses were founded, German publications were circulated, and an orchestra was even founded. Shanghai became a rare ray of hope for Jewish people in the dark plight of the time.

Career in the PRC

After founding the PRC in 1949, Li worked as a professor at Shanghai International Studies University. He died at the age of 74 during the Cultural Revolution in Shanghai.

Individual evidence

1. ↑ ^{a b c d e} Rediscovery of a Chinese Legend: The Unknown Story of Dr. Li Linsi. In: China Daily. Retrieved July 7, 2017 . 
2. ↑ ^{a b c} Educator Li Linsi: From the outstanding scholar who studied in Japan to the anti-Japanese fighter. In: People's Daily. Retrieved January 3, 2017 . 
3. ↑ ^{a b c} Dr. Li Linsi: The great diplomat from Hangzhuo. In: People's Daily Overseas Edition. Retrieved September 3, 2016 . 
4. ↑ ^{a b c d e} biography of Li Linsi. Teacher Monthly. Shanghai: East China Normal University Press. April 2017.