Only 790 Jews Reported Remaining in China; Seek Emigration

There are 790 Jews left in all of China, according to a survey carried out by the Joint Distribution Committee, which has made the results known here. Everyone of the 790 has indicated a desire to leave China.

This 790 is the remnant of the 24,000 Jews living in China when World War II broke out. Of these, some 18,000 were refugees from Central Europe, practically everyone of whom was moved out of the country by the JDC in the years between 1945 and 1949. Since then, there has been a steady trickle to many other states.

The distinguishing mark of the group is its advanced age, with some 300 over the age of 60 and only 115 under 18 years of age. Only seven children are of school age. Of the remainder, some 500 are between 45 and 60, and 300 are between 18 and 45. Of the total, some 160 are “hard-core” cases, with some 50 hospitalized cases. Funds for the maintenance of the “hard-core” cases is supplied by the JDC, through the Shanghai Jewish Community Council.

Most of the Jews still in China fled Russia in 1919 and 1920 after the Bolshevik revolution–590 are in this category and 201 are classified as either stateless or coming from other countries of origin. Those with Soviet passports cannot receive visas except with the permission of the Soviet Consulate.

All except 10 of the 790 are living in three cities: 310 in Shanghai; 350 in Harbin, and 120 in Tientsin. The remaining ten are divided between Tsintao and Dalny.

In replying to the JDC questionnaire, more than half of the Jews indicated a desire to immigrate to Israel. Brazil was their second choice, while the United States was the fourth choice. Fifty-nine of them had no preference, as long as they got out of China.