During the War of Resistance against Japan, a number of foreign friends came to China to support China's fight. They developed profound relationships with China. After the war, some of them left China either because they were homesick, or they had to go back to work. Others chose to remain in China and eventually became Chinese citizens. George Hatem, an American doctor, was one of those who decided to remain in China, and the first foreigner to obtain Chinese citizenship.

Hatem (Ma Haide in Chinese) was born to an Arab immigrant family in Buffalo, New York, on September 26, 1910. He obtained his medical degree in 1933, and came to China in November the same year.

He succumbed to his ailing health and died on October 3, 1988. His life was characterized by international humanitarianism.

(China.org.cn November 18, 2005)