Exhibit chronicles doctor's dedication to China

Austrian flees to Shanghai during WWII, obtains citizenship and CPC membership, Zhang Kun reports.

Richard Frey (1920-2004), formerly Richard Stein, escaped Nazi persecution in Austria as part of a refugee exodus to Shanghai during World War II. A former member of the Communist Party in Austria, he immersed himself in China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the world's movement against fascism. Embracing a new chapter in his life, he became a member of the Communist Party of China, choosing to stay in the country post-war, acquiring Chinese citizenship and adopting the name Fu Lai.

An ongoing exhibition at the Shanghai History Museum till Sunday, A Proud Communist, No Regrets — Dr Frey's Dedication to China shares Frey's life as a medical doctor who devoted most of his life to the welfare of the people in China.

Since 2019, Frey's widow Jiang Guozhen donated 171 objects, including his manuscripts, photographs and correspondence, to the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, co-organizer of the exhibition. "I hope more people can learn about Frey and many other international friends who stayed and devoted their lives to China," Jiang said at the exhibition opening.