Lu Zuofu

Lu Zuofu (卢作孚) (1893-1952) was a Chinese industrialist, educator, and philanthropist. He is best known for his contributions to the development of Chongqing during the Republican era, particularly his leadership of the Minsheng Industrial Company (民生实业公司) and his role in the evacuation of industrial assets and personnel from Wuhan and other threatened cities to Chongqing during the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945).

Born in Hechuan, Sichuan province, Lu Zuofu received a modern education and was influenced by reformist and nationalist ideas. He founded the Minsheng Industrial Company in 1925 with the goal of modernizing China through industrial development. The company initially focused on shipping on the Yangtze River but later expanded into various industries, including manufacturing, mining, and transportation.

Lu Zuofu was a strong advocate for education and social welfare. He established schools, hospitals, and other social service institutions in Chongqing and other areas where Minsheng operated. He believed that industrial development should be combined with social responsibility and that businesses should contribute to the betterment of society.

During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Lu Zuofu played a crucial role in the evacuation of industrial assets and personnel from Wuhan and other cities threatened by the Japanese advance. This massive undertaking, known as the "Oriental Dunkirk," involved transporting thousands of tons of equipment and machinery and thousands of people to Chongqing, which became the wartime capital of China. This effort significantly strengthened China's war effort by providing it with a crucial industrial base in the interior.

After the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949, Lu Zuofu continued to manage the Minsheng Industrial Company, which was transformed into a state-owned enterprise. He died in 1952 under circumstances that remain controversial. Some historians believe his death was a suicide driven by political pressures and persecution during the early years of the communist regime, while others suggest it was accidental.

Lu Zuofu is remembered in China as a patriotic industrialist and a pioneer of modern enterprise. His contributions to China's economic development and war effort are widely recognized, and he is often cited as an example of a socially responsible entrepreneur. His legacy continues to inspire business leaders and policymakers in China today.