August 10, 2015
No. 149
Prof. Dr. Thomas Rabe, grandson of the late German businessman John Rabe, will visit the Republic of China (Taiwan) from August 10 to 15, 2015, at the invitation of the ROC government to attend activities commemorating the 70th anniversary of the ROC’s victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan, as well as the retrocession of Taiwan.
In 1937, when Japanese troops occupied Nanjing, the ROC capital at the time, John Rabe and other foreign nationals residing in the city established the International Committee for the Nanjing Safety Zone, which helped protect more than 200,000 ROC nationals from attacks by Japanese forces. He even opened his own home to shelter more than 600 people. In addition, he wrote to many foreign governments during the Nanjing massacre to request intervention, and continuously recorded and exposed atrocities committed by the Imperial Japanese Army. On this special occasion marking the 70th anniversary of victory, the government and people of the ROC remember his noble deeds with the deepest respect and reverence.
During his visit, Prof. Rabe will accept a tribute from President Ma Ying-jeou that highlights and conveys appreciation for his grandfather’s outstanding contributions and humanitarian spirit in safeguarding ROC nationals from acts of violence perpetrated by the Japanese army during the Nanjing massacre. Prof. Rabe will also attend a banquet hosted by President Ma.
Moreover, Prof. Rabe, who will be accompanied by three family members on this trip, will deliver speeches at National Taiwan University and Mackay Memorial Hospital to conduct exchanges with Taiwanese medical professionals. He will also visit the National Health Insurance Administration, the Taiwan Association of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Academia Historica, the National Palace Museum, and Taroko National Park, enabling him to gain a better understanding of Taiwan’s medical, cultural, and economic development, as well as natural environment. (E)