March 5, 2011
Norman Bethune still revered in China. 70 years after Canadian doctor, humanitarian and medical inventor, Norman Bethune, died in China while volunteering as a battlefield surgeon, he is still one of the most respected foreigners in modern Chinese history.   In a recent speech, one of the most powerful and respected politicians in China, Bo Xilai, the Secretary of the CPC Committee of Chongqing, the largest municipality in the world in terms of land area and population (over 31 million), quoted a famous essay by Chairman Mao entitled “In Memory of Norman Bethune”.  From memory he recited passages like: What kind of spirit is this that makes a foreigner selflessly adopt the cause of the Chinese people’s liberation as his own? It is the spirit of internationalism, the spirit of communism, from which every Chinese Communist must learn. Bo was awarding a group of doctors from Chongqing, and with his recitation he presented them with a statue of Bethune. Mao’s essay, “In Memory of Norman Bethune”, is a mandatory part of the school curriculum in China and all students are required to memorize it.  As such, whenever Chinese people meet a Canadian, they all invariably mention Norman Bethune.  Ironically, a much lower percentage of Canadians know who he is.   

Norman Bethune still revered in China.

70 years after Canadian doctor, humanitarian and medical inventor, Norman Bethune, died in China while volunteering as a battlefield surgeon, he is still one of the most respected foreigners in modern Chinese history.  

In a recent speech, one of the most powerful and respected politicians in China, Bo Xilai, the Secretary of the CPC Committee of Chongqing, the largest municipality in the world in terms of land area and population (over 31 million), quoted a famous essay by Chairman Mao entitled “In Memory of Norman Bethune”.  From memory he recited passages like:

What kind of spirit is this that makes a foreigner selflessly adopt the cause of the Chinese people’s liberation as his own? It is the spirit of internationalism, the spirit of communism, from which every Chinese Communist must learn.

Bo was awarding a group of doctors from Chongqing, and with his recitation he presented them with a statue of Bethune.

Mao’s essay, “In Memory of Norman Bethune”, is a mandatory part of the school curriculum in China and all students are required to memorize it.  As such, whenever Chinese people meet a Canadian, they all invariably mention Norman Bethune.  Ironically, a much lower percentage of Canadians know who he is.