A touring exhibition titled “Jewish Refugees and Shanghai” was launched on 7th of July at Canberra Multicultural Centre by H.E. Mr. Ma Chaoxu, Chinese Ambassador to Australia. The exhibition was jointly organised by Australia-China Friendship Society ACT Branch, Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, and China Cultural Centre in Sydney.
H.E. Ambassador Ma highlighted in his opening address the significance of this exhibition on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
“70 years is mere a snap of the fingers. Today, as we remember our forefathers and history, we are not trying to nurture hatred, but to cherish world peace, renew friendship and push forward cooperation for a better future”, said Ambassador Ma.
87-year-old Peter Witting is the only Jewish survivor from Shanghai in Canberra right now. He was invited to the exhibition and shared his experience as a Jewish refugee. He said his most unforgettable memory about life in Shanghai was the warmth of the Chinese people during the hard times.
“The friendliness of the Chinese people. I was working with Chinese workman, and they are great friends. There is no anti-Semitism and it was a very harmonious relationship. It was wonderful. They saved our lives. “
“I am now 87 years old and looking back over my life I must say that I have been very fortunate in that our immediate family was able to escape from Germany before World War II and receive refuge in China, which saved us from almost certain annihilation in Europe”, said Mr. Witting.
This exhibition, telling the story of how Jewish refugees escaped Europe, came to Shanghai, lived with the local people and sought new life after the end of World War II, was previously on display at China Cultural Centre in Sydney in May. The exhibition will travel to Melbourne in August this year.
People’s Daily Online, CRI, People’s Daily, Xinhua News Agency, Ostar International Media Group, and other local media covered the opening ceremony.
