In March 1938, the Nazi launched a reign of terror, triggering a Jewish refugee crisis. The first step was to confiscate their assets and deport them. Nazi authorities informed Jews that they would be allowed to leave the country if they could provide “the proof of immigration” in the form of entry or final destination visas, and their family members who had been arrested and deported to concentration camps, could also go with them.
Under such international circumstances, those diplomats from various countries, who had the right to issue visas, became a chance for Jews to escape the persecution of the Nazis. However, there were no one to stand up at that time. In July 1938, the 32 western countries that participated in the Evian Conference to discuss the Jewish refugees issue. Most of them showed little willingness to accept them.
It is Dr. Ho Feng-Shan, from China, extended his helping hand to Jews despite immense difficulties. Dr. Ho Feng-Shan, was born in 1901 in Hunan, China. On the eve of World War II, he was Chinese Consul in general in Vienna. It was his courage, wisdom and strategy that enabled him to save thousands of Jewish refugees and provided 18,000 Jews with asylum in Shanghai. 85 years on today, people still remember him and regard him as a courageous Chinese diplomat and international justice, and “Chinese Schindler”.
Dr. Ho had designed and successfully implemented the route, which helped Jews get into China. In 1937, Japan had invaded China and occupied all the ports for entry, and thus the entry documents issued by China diplomats would not be recognised. However, there was one and the only exception: Shanghai. The Shanghai port was left unattended at that time, and anyone could land and entry the country without showing official documentation. Therefore, Dr Ho took the advantage and issued the “Shanghai visa”.
With a Shanghai visa, Jews, together with their relatives, were allowed to leave the Nazi-occupied countries. The visas can also be used for entering other countries on the ground of transit. It would seem that the “Shanghai visa” was normally only for going to Shanghai, in reality, it provided a way for Jews to travel to any of their preferred destinations. Eventually, thousands of Jews used these “Shanghai visas” to escape the Nazis and find safe haven elsewhere. It also successfully conveyed the message to all the Jews that Shanghai China could be a possible destination for asylum. From late 1938 to 1940, at least 18,000 Jewish refugees found refuge in Shanghai
Warren Wills is a multi-award winning composer, musical director and performer who has worked with many of the world’s best cabaret, opera, jazz and classical artists. One of the most versatile and gifted musicians on the international scene, he has authored 8 original operas, 10 musicals, 13 children’s musicals, 25 albums ( with Prestige Records on iTunes, and Spotify), 5 major orchestral works and music direction credits on more than 50 productions. Warren has played and composed for the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), as well as for Woody Allen in New York City, Pamela Anderson in London, and has toured extensively in Europe, Asia and the US, with appearances on MTV in the Middle East.
