Chen Feng, 80, cleans fallen leaves at Fuzhou Ryukyu Cemetery in Fuzhou, Fujian province. [Photo by Ye Yilin / for chinadaily.com.cn]
Eighty-year-old Chen Feng has voluntarily safeguarded the tombs of ancient Japanese at a cemetery in Fuzhou, Fujian province, for over two decades.
Chen starts each day sweeping fallen leaves and occasionally acts as a guide at the cemetery, which is the resting place of nine Japanese who came to China during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). They were envoys, interpreters, students, sailors and merchants who passed away in Fuzhou.
At the time, Fuzhou was a major port for economic exchanges with Ryukyu, now Okinawa, which was an independent kingdom.
Chen Feng, 80, cleans fallen leaves at Fuzhou Ryukyu Cemetery in Fuzhou, Fujian province. [Photo by Ye Yilin / for chinadaily.com.cn]
Fuzhou and Naha (the capital of Okinawa) became sister cities in 1981 and the cemetery was built five years later.
Chen's father volunteered to guard the cemetery first. After he passed away in 2004, Chen inherited the work because he lived nearby.
Every year, two or three groups of Ryukyu descendants visit the cemetery to honor their ancestors. College students also visit the place. Chen cleans the cemetery and burns incense and candles in preparation for visitors.
"Chen's unwavering dedication, even when the tombs were forgotten, is deeply admirable," said Lai Zhengwei, a professor from Fujian Normal University.
For Chen, the mission is simple: "I'll do what I can, for as long as I can," he said.
Fuzhou Ryukyu Cemetery is the resting place of nine Japanese who came to China during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). They were envoys, interpreters, students, sailors and merchants who passed away in Fuzhou. [Photo by Ye Yilin / for chinadaily.com.cn]
Fuzhou Ryukyu Cemetery is the resting place of nine Japanese who came to China during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). They were envoys, interpreters, students, sailors and merchants who passed away in Fuzhou. [Photo by Ye Yilin / for chinadaily.com.cn]
Fuzhou Ryukyu Cemetery is the resting place of nine Japanese who came to China during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). They were envoys, interpreters, students, sailors and merchants who passed away in Fuzhou. [Photo by Ye Yilin / for chinadaily.com.cn]
