Former United States treasury secretary and Jewish refugee to Shanghai, W. Michael Blumenthal, returned to the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum on Oct 17 during a visit to the city that saved his family from Nazi persecution about eight decades ago.

The 100-year-old's return highlighted Shanghai's legacy as a safe harbor for approximately 20,000 Jewish refugees, serving as a vivid oral record of what has become known as the Shanghai Ark.

Born in Germany in 1926, Blumenthal fled to Shanghai with his parents during World War II, spending his youth in the refugee district before immigrating to the US. He served as the 64th US treasury secretary from 1977 to 1979, then returned to Germany in 1997 to establish the Jewish Museum Berlin, directing it until 2014.

"I'm overwhelmed by the beautiful museum. It brings back many memories," Blumenthal said. "I am 100 years old; in Chinese age, 101. I've been to Shanghai five or six times and I wanted to visit one more time. This is the last time. I lived here for eight years. Shanghai is in my head and in my blood."

Reflecting on his youth, Blumenthal noted how his perspective on those years has transformed. "While living here, I was angry, thought I was wasting my time," he said. "But now I know that my time in Shanghai was the most important time of my life, because I learned about hardship, what people can do when their backs are against the wall."

He marveled at the resilience of the refugee community and their ability to build a vibrant life under dire circumstances, even establishing self-help organizations, newspapers, and cultural events.

Blumenthal expressed particular gratitude toward Chinese neighbors.

"It was also a difficult period for China. There were far more Chinese refugees in Shanghai than Jewish ones," he said. "Yet when we were forced to live in the midst of the Chinese people, they did not object or say 'get out'. They lived as our neighbors harmoniously. For that, I am very grateful."

Drawing on his 17 years directing the Jewish Museum Berlin, Blumenthal praised Shanghai's facility as world-class. "The way this museum uses interactive media to tell the story is first-class. I'm impressed by the ability to assemble so many details."

His daughter, Jill Borgeson, who accompanied him on the trip, said the visit brought her father's history to life. "It's been a great opportunity to see his Shanghai, hear the stories, see where he lived and went to school," she said. "In those places, he comes alive, and memories start flooding back."

"The visit makes it more tangible. You just see the faces of people, documents and artifacts that ground his reality," Borgeson added. "It's just nice to watch him relive it."

Chen Jian, director of the Shanghai Jewish Refugees Museum, noted that Blumenthal had visited multiple times. "I understand he came to express gratitude to Shanghai at age 100 and to understand China's remarkable development over about 50 years of reform," Chen said.

"During his visit, Blumenthal shared additional details about his family's daily life here, providing firsthand accounts that enrich our understanding of this historical chapter," Chen said.

Chen added that the museum's commemoration wall has expanded from 13,732 names in 2014 to about 19,000 today. "Everyone named on this wall, along with their descendants, shares a unique bond with China. Through this shared historical memory, we build lasting friendship, mutual understanding and support."

In his remarks, Blumenthal also addressed the current state of US-China relations. "The United States and China are both great, powerful countries. We must learn to get along," he said. "Our two countries have far more interests in common than what separates us."