- The Chinese character who features in the TinTin cartoon The Blue Lotus and The Adventures of Tintin was inspired by the Tianjin artist, Zhang Chong Ren, who was known by Herge, having become friends in Belgium.
- The first tram in China was in Tianjin - built and managed by the Belgians.
- The first Foreign Minister of the Republic of China, Lu Zheng Xiang, was married to a Belgian lady, Berthe Bovy. The couple donated funds to help Belgian widows and orphans during the First World War.
- Chinese workers contributed their labour both during the war and to the reconstruction of Ypres, Belgium after the war.
- A Chinese lady, Qian Xiu Ling, was awarded a decoration by the Belgian Government for persuading a German General not to kill some 100 Belgians during the Second World War.
These and many other interesting pieces of information showing the historical links between China and Belgium are presented in the Sino-Belgian joint exhibitionwhich opened at the Tianjin Museum of Modern History on 314 Hebei Road on 4 May. It follows the successful exhibition held in Brussels, Belgium in April of this year. It runs until 30 May and, along with the other regular exhibits, is well worthwhile. It is advisable to call before going: +86 22 23121982.
Did you know?
