The Legacy of Xin Yuling: A “Little Medic” and Founder of China-Japan Friendship Hospital
At the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, everyone knows Xin Yuling as “Director Xin.” However, his tenure as the founding director lasted just over two years. After the hospital officially opened and stabilized, he gracefully stepped down, returning to his beloved field of thoracic surgery, where he worked until he was 89, earning a nationwide reputation for his surgical skills.
In early 2021, during his 100th birthday celebration, Ma Xiaowei, the director of the National Health Commission, praised him as a flagbearer of the cadre training by the Party, a humble and noble individual among his peers. That year, he was awarded the “July 1 Medal.”
In his final days, Xin occasionally displayed signs of exuberance, claiming that fallen comrades were speaking to him. When caregivers asked where his comrades were, he responded that they were sitting on the sofa, warning others not to step on their feet. He would sometimes call out, “Doctor Bai! Doctor Bai!”
Early Years: A “Little Medic” under Norman Bethune
The story takes us back to May 1939 when Xin Yuling, then an 18-year-old medic in the Eighth Route Army’s Hebei Central Military District, was assigned to work with the medical team of Norman Bethune. Tragically, Bethune died of septicemia while treating wounded soldiers just six months later, at the age of 49.
On June 7, 2022, 101-year-old Xin Yuling passed away at the China-Japan Friendship Hospital, fulfilling a lifelong desire to reunite with his comrades.
Building the China-Japan Friendship Hospital
In December 1979, then Japanese Prime Minister Ohira Masayoshi visited China, one year after the signing of the Sino-Japanese Peace and Friendship Treaty. During his visit, he expressed Japan’s commitment to assist China in its modernization efforts, proposing the construction of a hospital in Beijing.
Initially, discussions between the Chinese Ministry of Health and Japan focused on providing interest-free loans for the hospital’s construction. However, concerns arose that public hospitals, which do not generate profit, would struggle to repay loans. As a result, the then-Minister of Health, Qian Xinzong, negotiated with the Japanese Medical Association to leverage their authority to influence the Japanese government, ultimately leading to an agreement to provide free aid for the hospital’s construction.
In 1981, an aid agreement was signed, with Japan donating 16.5 billion yen (approximately 280 million yuan) to establish a modern international hospital that integrates medical care, teaching, and research.
In May 1982, Xin Yuling was appointed as the hospital’s first president, a position proposed by Qian Xinzong due to Xin’s extensive experience as a pioneer in thoracic surgery and his status as a senior Party member since 1939.
A Visionary Leader
Xin began the two-year construction phase in a temporary wooden building at the Beijing University of Chinese Medicine. Reflecting on that time, he described it as a “golden era.” The agreement stipulated that Japan would contribute 16.5 billion yen in various forms, with construction materials sourced in China and medical equipment from Japan.
Xin insisted that advanced medical devices should be sourced from Europe and the United States, while the Japanese side preferred to adhere to the agreement by providing domestic products. Following negotiations and visits to Japanese hospitals, Xin advocated for additional investment, successfully securing an increase of 2 billion yen.
Under his leadership, the hospital was designed to accommodate both Western and traditional Chinese medicine, with a total of 1,300 beds and 2,640 staff members, including a mix of Western and Chinese medical professionals.
Building a Legacy
The China-Japan Friendship Hospital opened on October 23, 1984, with participation from national leaders from both countries. A few months later, Xin stepped down as president to return to his position in thoracic surgery.
Throughout the 1980s and beyond, Xin Yuling established a robust thoracic surgery department, training over 1,000 surgical technicians and advocating for advanced techniques, including lung transplants, which were groundbreaking in China.
Despite facing challenges, including political scrutiny during the Cultural Revolution, Xin continued to excel in his field. His unique surgical techniques and his commitment to patient care set a standard in thoracic surgery that inspired many.
A Life of Dedication
In his later years, Xin faced health challenges but remained dedicated to his work and patients. Even at the age of 89, he continued to hold hope for returning to the operating room, maintaining an unwavering spirit until his final days.
On January 1, 2021, Xin celebrated his 100th birthday in the hospital, surrounded by memories of his past and the impact he had made in the field of medicine. His legacy lives on through the hospital he founded and the countless lives he touched, embodying the spirit of a true medical pioneer.
Xin Yuling’s story not only reflects the history of modern Chinese medicine but also highlights the enduring bonds of friendship and cooperation that can flourish even in challenging times. His contributions continue to inspire future generations of medical professionals.
