Dr. Norman Bethune 白求恩: The Canadian admired by over a billion people in China, but virtually unknown in Canada
When I first came to China, whenever it was discovered that I was Canadian, I noticed a pretty common reaction from Chinese people: their eyes grew wide and a smile came to their face. Most would say Canada is a ‘good friend’ to China, and many mentioned ‘doctor’ followed by a Chinese name that I did not understand. I assumed it was their relative who was a doctor in Canada or something, and although a bit confused, I would smile and nod.
Months later, someone mentioned this doctor again, but this time followed by his English name: “Norman Bethune.”
I stared blankly and said I had never heard of him. They were shocked. “You don’t know Dr. Bethune? He is the most famous Canadian!! Everyone in China knows him!”