Dr. George Ashmore Fitch (Shanghai/ Chungking/Seoul/Taipei)

Dr. George Ashmore Fitch (1883–1979), an American missionary and prominent Rotarian, was instrumental in founding multiple Rotary clubs in China, including Shanghai Rotary Club (President 1930-31) and Chungking Rotary Club (President 1942-43). Born in Suzhou during the Qing Empire, Fitch served with the YMCA from 1909 in Shanghai, later leading YMCA in Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong. Notably, he directed the Nanking Safety Zone during the 1937 Japanese atrocities and worked with UNRRA in China post-World War II. In 1940, Fitch traveled to Yan’an, the Communist Party’s base, accompanying Zhou Enlai, to explore establishing a YMCA branch there. The challenging three-day journey involved interaction with Communist leaders Mao Zedong and Zhou Enlai, attending cultural events including a Gorky play and a cantata “The Yellow River.” While acknowledging Communist enthusiasm, Fitch regarded the regime as a dictatorship and atheist. His memoir “My Eighty Years in China” recounts this historic visit and his complex views formed from decades in East Asia.

Dr. George Ashmore Fitch (1883–1979), missionário americano e destacado rotariano, foi fundamental na fundação de diversos clubes Rotary na China, incluindo o Clube Rotary de Xangai (Presidente 1930-31) e o Clube Rotary de Chungking (Presidente 1942-43). Nascido em Suzhou durante o Império Qing, Fitch atuou na YMCA desde 1909 em Xangai, liderando posteriormente a YMCA na Coreia, Taiwan e Hong Kong. Notavelmente, dirigiu a Zona de Segurança de Nanking durante as atrocidades japonesas de 1937 e trabalhou com a UNRRA na China após a Segunda Guerra Mundial. Em 1940, Fitch viajou a Yan’an, base do Partido Comunista, acompanhando Zhou Enlai para explorar a criação de um ramo da YMCA. A jornada de três dias envolveu encontros com líderes comunistas Mao Zedong e Zhou Enlai e participação em eventos culturais. Reconhecendo o entusiasmo comunista, Fitch considerava o regime uma ditadura ateia. Suas memórias “My Eighty Years in China” narram esta visita histórica e suas visões complexas formadas ao longo de décadas na Ásia Oriental.

乔治·阿什莫尔·费奇博士（1883–1979）是美国传教士和著名扶轮社成员，曾促成中国多家扶轮社的成立，包括上海扶轮社（1930-31年社长）与重庆扶轮社（1942-43年社长）。他出生于清朝苏州，1909年开始在上海服务基督教青年会（YMCA），后先后领导韩、台、港的YMCA。1937年南京大屠杀期间，他担任南京安全区主任，并于战后任联合国善后救济署（UNRRA）中国区主任。1940年，费奇随周恩来赴延安共产党根据地，考察建立延安YMCA。此次三日艰难旅程中，他与毛泽东、周恩来等领导人会面，观看了包括高尔基戏剧和《黄河》康塔塔的文艺演出。费奇虽认可共产党的热情，但视其为无神论独裁政权。他在《我在中国八十年》回忆录中详述了这段历史访问及其复杂感受。