The statue of Qian Xiuling is unveiled at KU Leuven in Belgium on Feb 15. [Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]

The statue of Qian Xiuling (1912-2008), a native of Wuxi, known as the "Chinese Schindler" and the "Chinese Mother of Belgium", was unveiled at KU Leuven in Belgium on Feb 15.

Qian was the first Chinese woman to receive a doctoral degree in chemistry from KU Leuven. During World War II, she rescued nearly a hundred Belgian youths.

In recognition of her valorous deeds, the Belgian government gave Qian the prestigious Medal of Gratitude, recognizing her selflessness and bravery. A street in the southern Brussels town of Ecaussinnes was named after Qian Xiuling to commemorate her exceptional accomplishments.

File photo: Qian Xiuling poses for a photo. [Photo provided to wuxi.gov.cn]

Qian's acts have helped forge a profound bond between Wuxi and Belgium for decades. Their shared commitment to humanitarianism has strengthened the friendship between the two places. Through generations of joint efforts, both sides have pursued practical cooperation in trade, education, talent development, and culture, yielding numerous successes.

Wuxi writer Xu Feng dedicated 16 years to recounting the tale of the Wuxi native's growth and legendary experiences in his book Forget Me by engaging with her descendants, old friends, and acquaintances.

The statue of Qian now stands in Louvain, a friendly exchange city with Wuxi. It perpetuates the enduring bond between the two places and marks a significant milestone in the practical cooperation between Wuxi and Belgium.