Rediscovering a Chinese legend: The untold wartime tale of Dr Li Linsi

Key proponent of China's League of Nations diplomacy

When Li returned to China in 1930, he joined the government as an education official upon the recommendation of Kuomintang leader Chiang Kai-shek. He later became a diplomatic consultant to Chiang.

As a senior education official, as well as a cultural diplomat, Li was a key proponent and practitioner of China's League of Nations diplomacy in the 1930s. He actively promoted communication, cooperation and coordination between China and the League of Nations – the predecessor of the United Nations – which was the first international organization whose principal mission was to maintain world peace.

He proposed that to better combat the Japanese aggression, China should try to draw more support and favorable public opinion from the international community through the League of Nations.

In 1932, in order to strengthen the relationship between China and the League of Nations, Li then served as a cultural and educational representative of the Chinese government to pay an official visit to Europe, including Switzerland, where the League of Nations headquartered. The successful six-month trip enhanced the cultural exchange and cooperation among China, Europe and the League of Nations.

Li also co-founded some of China's most influential organizations, including the China Institute of World Cultural Cooperation at the League of Nations in 1933.

In 1935, the Shanghai cultural diplomat met another native diplomat, Gu Weijun. The pair bonded and developed a close and respectable relationship. Li became a major supporter of Gu's notion of peacefully resolving international disputes through the diplomacy with the League of Nations.

In March 1936, the pair were both elected as members of the council at the League of Nations Association of China, the China branch of the League of Nations. Li was also a participant in the founding of the China branch of the United Nations after the League of Nations was replaced by the United Nations.

Li effectively advanced the diplomatic ties between China and the League of Nations, and played a major role in the operation of some Chinese affiliates of the League of Nations, including the League of Nations Association of China and China Institute of World Cultural Cooperation at the League of Nations.

Leveraging his influence and connections in the diplomatic, political, military, media and educational circles, Li made great efforts and contributions in advancing the communication between China, the League of Nations and Europe, and helped to create a favorable atmosphere of international public opinion for China during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-45).