As part of our cultural training Pfizer's relocation supplier arranged for Theresa and I to spend an afternoon "one-on-one" with Professor Zhou Chun, (that's him in the middle with his brother and sister), an 85 year old scholar and author who shared his life story with us. An amazing story of strength and personal tragedy that unfolded right in our living room.
He grew up in Shanghai in the mid 20's when the French concession was still really the French Concession controled by France and Shanghai truly was the Paris of the Orient. He studied German in hopes of going to medical school however when the Japanese took over Shanghai his plans to attend medical school vanished and he eventually joined the communist party where he rose to become one of Mao's personal translators.
It would take too long to tell his whole story here but the highlights include being sent to jail for five years for treason and then the labour camps for another 17 years only to finally be set free in 79 when he was assigned to teach English at a university here in Shanghai. The man retired when he turned 61 and went to live in Berlin in 87 and published two books in German - all about his life in China.
This man is a walking, talking repository of life in China from the 30's right through to today. We were truly honoured to meet him and spend the afternoon listening to him and sharing some of our thoughts of China with him.
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