Chinese Government donates a bronze statue of Ma Haide in the town of Hammana

In 2003, the Chinese Government donated a bronze statue of Ma Haide in the town of Hammana. The Chinese Government made the donation for the erection of the statue to honor Ma's memory and to serve as a symbol Chinese-Lebanese friendship. The statue's unveiling ceremony, which was organized by the Municipality of Hammana and the China-Lebanon Friendship Association, was held on August 31, 2003. The statue (a bust of Ma with a plaque) was located in the town's central square. Ma Haide (Chinese: 马海德), born Shafick George Hatem (Arabic: جورج شفيق حاتم‎), was an American doctor of Lebanese ancestry. He arrived in Yan'an in 1936, joined the Communist Party of China in 1937, and became a Chinese citizen in 1950. After the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Ma became an official in China's Ministry of Health. As an official, Ma led successful efforts to eliminate leprosy in China. Ma later served as a member of the 5th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and a member of the 6th and 7th Standing Committees of the CPPCC National Committee. Ma died in 1988, but his influence remained highly impactful in China. Hammana was the hometown of Ma's father.

Additional details

"Year uncertain" box was checked because it is unclear which year this donation was committed too; it was not necessarily 2003.

Number of official sources

5

Number of total sources

6