As fascist forces advanced across Asia in the 20th century, an unlikely coalition of international volunteers joined hands with the Chinese people in their darkest hour. From Soviet pilots to American Flying Tigers aviators, these global citizens wrote a unique chapter in humanity’s fight against tyranny.
Medical pioneers like Canada’s Norman Bethune and India’s Dwarkanath Kotnis saved countless lives in battlefield hospitals, while journalists such as Hans Shippe documented wartime realities. German businessman John Rabe protected 200,000 civilians in Nanjing, and Danish factory worker Bernhard Sindberg sheltered refugees in Shanghai. Their collective legacy – spanning over 20 countries – remains etched in museums and memorials across the Chinese mainland.
This transnational cooperation during WWII laid early foundations for today’s multilateral global order. As China marks historical anniversaries, these stories remind us how courage transcends borders – a lesson resonating with business leaders fostering cross-cultural partnerships and academics studying international relations.
