During World War II the Chinese General Consul in Vienna, Dr. Ho Feng Shan, braved great danger to save the lives of thousands of Jewish people from the devastation of the Holocaust by issuing visas to allow them to resettle in China. In acknowledgement of this selfless act the Israeli government awarded Dr. Ho Feng Shan the title of "Righteous Among the Nations", an honor reserved for non-Jewish individuals who at risk to themselves took extraordinary steps to save the lives of Jewish people, erecting a monument to commemorate the "Chinese people who will never be forgotten".