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Laura Frey, 2024

The Chinese woman Hu Lanqi was a political activist who lived in Berlin between 1929 and 1933. She was active in communist circles in Berlin and fought against Japanese imperialism in China. Due to her political activities, she was arrested by the National Socialists in 1933 and imprisoned in a Berlin women's prison. She wrote numerous articles about her stay and became known in communist and literary circles.

Once back in China, Hu was appointed China's first female general and organized a women's corps. However, after the communists seized power in 1957, she was classified as a "rightist" and was only rehabilitated in the 1970s. Hu died in her hometown of Chengdu in 1994.

As an anti-colonial activist, student and communist, Hu lived a transnational life and worked with key actors in the anti-imperialist, communist networks of the interwar period.

Stationen

Growing up in times of upheaval

Participation in the Northern Expedition

First stay in Berlin: joining the Communist Party

Friendship with Madame Sun Yat-sen

Second stay in Berlin: Anti-imperialist struggle

Arrest and stay in prison

Celebrated writer

Return to China

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