A Diplomat with a Fierce Sense of Justice
Feng-Shan Ho, a name that remains largely unknown to many, was a Chinese diplomat who risked everything to save thousands of Jews during the Holocaust. Unlike Oskar Schindler, whose heroism is widely recognized thanks to Steven Spielberg’s film, Feng-Shan Ho’s story is one of quiet bravery and unwavering moral conviction. Despite having no Jewish ancestry or direct connection to Jewish history, Ho’s fierce sense of justice compelled him to act in the face of unimaginable danger.
From Humble Beginnings to Diplomatic Service
Feng-Shan Ho was born into a poor family in a rural province of China, far removed from any Jewish community. His life took a significant turn when Christian missionaries provided him with a Western-style education, eventually leading him to earn a doctorate in Germany. By 1935, Ho was working for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, first in Turkey and then in Austria. His journey from a rural Chinese village to the heart of European diplomacy was nothing short of remarkable.
Witnessing the Horrors of War
In 1937, as Japan invaded China, Feng-Shan Ho found himself serving as the Chinese consul general in Vienna. The following year, Germany invaded Austria, subjecting 185,000 Jews to brutal persecution. Ho watched in horror as his Jewish friends were harassed, beaten, and stripped of their civil rights. His journal entries reveal a deep compassion for the Jews and a strong humanitarian impulse to help them.
A Lifeline for Austria’s Jews
Realizing that he couldn’t protect all of Austria’s Jews, Ho decided to help as many as he could escape. At a time when most countries had strict immigration policies and were unwilling to accept Jewish refugees, Ho saw an opportunity. The Japanese had left Shanghai’s harbor unmanned, allowing anyone with a visa to enter. Ho began issuing visas to Jews, knowing that these documents would help them leave Austria, even if they didn’t ultimately travel to Shanghai.
The Risks and Challenges
Issuing these visas was an incredibly risky endeavor. Ho was in a foreign country with little regard for human rights, and the Chinese government was more concerned with maintaining its relationship with Germany than saving Jewish lives. When Ho’s superior discovered his actions, he sent a spy to catch him in the act, suspecting that Ho was selling visas. Despite the lack of evidence, Ho’s defiance was noted, and it eventually cost him his career.
Continued Defiance and Personal Sacrifice
Even after the Nazis took over the Chinese Consulate, Ho continued his work. When the Chinese government refused to fund a new office, he paid for it out of his own pocket. However, in 1940, Ho was reassigned, and his heroic efforts in Vienna were largely forgotten. He spent the next 33 years as a diplomat, rarely speaking of his wartime experiences. His children and grandchildren were unaware of the thousands of lives he had saved.
Rediscovering a Hero
It wasn’t until his daughter, Manli Ho, a journalist, began researching her father’s past that his heroism came to light. Inspired by a Jewish curator who wanted to include Feng-Shan Ho in an exhibit on diplomats who rescued Jews, Manli spent 25 years uncovering her father’s story. Her tireless efforts led to Feng-Shan Ho being recognized by Yad Vashem as righteous among the nations, and he was honored by the US Senate and the president of Taiwan.
A Legacy of Courage and Humanity
Feng-Shan Ho’s story is a testament to the power of individual action in the face of overwhelming adversity. His courage and humanity saved thousands of lives, and his legacy continues to inspire. As Manli Ho works on a book about her father’s heroism, she hopes to remind the world of the importance of standing up for what is right, even when standing alone. Feng-Shan Ho’s name may not be widely known, but his impact on the lives of those he saved and their descendants is immeasurable.
