Former Site of Bethune's Operating Room

Former Site of Bethune's Operating Room

The former site of Bethune's operating room is a cultural relic protection unit of Hebei Province and a patriotic education base.

The former site of Bethune's operating room is located in Tunzhuang Village, Wofotang Town, 32 kilometers northeast of Hejian City. Originally named the Zhenwu Temple, it was first built during the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty, rebuilt in 1929, and in April 1939, Canadian international friend Dr. Norman Bethune led a medical team, which moved with the 120th Division under the command of He Long to the Qihui area battlefield in the northeast of Hejian County. The field hospital was set up inside the Zhenwu Temple, where Bethune worked for twenty-eight days. He not only treated 128 wounded soldiers but also provided medical care to local residents. To commemorate the great international communist fighter—Bethune—and promote his noble spirit, the Party, governments at all levels, and central leaders have shown great concern for the protection and management of the "Former Site of Bethune's Operating Room."

From 1966 to 1967, Comrade He Long sent personnel twice to Tunzhuang to inquire and visit the local villagers; in 1975, Comrade Xiao Hua inspected the site; in 1978, the provincial Department of Culture repaired the operating room, rebuilt the medical room, and established the Battlefield Hospital Memorial Hall; in October 1983, a 60×90 cm cement plaque inscribed with "Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit of Hebei Province" was erected on the east side of the gate; from 1980 to 1985, further repairs were carried out; in 1995, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, it was announced by the People's Government of Hebei Province as an "Hebei Provincial Patriotic Education Base"; in 1998, investments totaling 1.5723 million yuan from provincial, prefectural, and municipal levels were used for reconstruction and expansion. In 2004, it was recognized by the provincial government as a "National Defense Education Base" and one of the "Hebei Red Tourism Routes."

After reconstruction, the former site of the operating room now includes one Bethune achievement exhibition room (300 square meters), a disinfection room, an observation room, and other basic facilities, covering a total area of 5,500 square meters. The exhibition displays include photos and artifacts, comprehensively showcasing the heroic deeds of the internationalist fighter Bethune who came to central Hebei with the Eastern Expedition Medical Team in 1939, working, living, and treating the wounded here. A sand table simulating the Qihui Battle is set up in the exhibition hall. In the courtyard stands a half-length white marble statue of Bethune. It was officially opened to the public in July 2000.

Further Reading:

· Second Batch of Cultural Relic Protection Units of Hebei Province