Diplomat who saved thousands is honored

In subsequent years, many other journalists, scholars and writers have followed in Ho Manli’s footsteps, in investigating the story.

Last year, Canadian-American producer Rene Balcer directed a documentary Above the Drowning Sea, which recorded many first-person accounts of Jewish refugees, and the Chinese residents of Shanghai who became friends with them during the World War II period.

This year, Elisa Giunipero, director of the Confucius Institute at the Catholic University of Milan published a book on the same topic. She said remembering Ho is crucial for Europeans to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the Holocaust.

“We always think of the Holocaust as European history, but, in fact, it is the history of human kind. What I find really interesting is to look at this history from another perspective,” she said.

As Ho’s story becomes better known around the world, he has received numerous commendations. In July 2000, Israel bestowed on him the title of Righteous Among the Nations, one of its highest honors. In 2015, the Holocaust Museum of Houston honored Ho with the Lyndon Johnson Moral Courage Award.

Last week, a new stone plaque in Ho’s name was unveiled in Milan’s Monte Stella Park. Gabriele Nissim, president of the Milan-based charity Gariwo which organized the memorial, said in the modern world, now more than ever, it was vital to remember the importance of human kindness as shown by Ho.

The on-going European refugee crisis, said Nissim, with hundreds of thousands fleeing from Asia and Africa, and thousands dying while trying to cross the Mediterranean Sea, demonstrates how important Ho’s example was.

“Remembering Ho and other WWII heroes is the process of remembering the possibility of humanity to do kindness and take care of each other,” said Nissim.

“After WWII, we thought what happened to the Jews would not happen again, but that is not true. So, this day, we push young people to take responsibility for what happened in history.”

The naming of Piazzetta Ho Feng Shan came about through a two-year process by the Italian Chinese Entrepreneurs Union. Luca Song, chairman of the group, said the naming of the square meant Ho’s story would continue to inspire generations of Chinese living overseas.

“His humanitarian deeds provide guidance to our conduct, so we must remember him,” he said.