Han Xianglin

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Han Xianglin (1906–1985) was a Chinese humanitarian who helped during the Nanjing Massacre. Born in Linzi, Shandong, he studied at Shandong Christian University and spoke several languages. He worked as secretary and interpreter for John Rabe, the German who led the Nanking Safety Zone relief effort.

When Rabe planned to evacuate Nanjing in September 1937, Han refused: “Where you stay, I stay, too.” He became director of the Siemens Refugee Camp and headed the Safety Zone’s Food Committee. He distributed about 9,000 bags of rice and 1,000 bags of flour to more than 600 refugees living at Rabe’s apartment on Xiaofenqiao Road. He helped patrols prevent Japanese soldiers from entering and intervened in crimes, even getting assaulted in a confrontation.

He secured essential supplies—two vehicles, 100 cans of gasoline, and 200 bags of grain—from a Shandong industrialist, helping the Safety Zone start operating early. After the massacre, he testified about Japanese war crimes and later worked in the printing department of Nanjing University until retirement.