The Jewish Official Who Saved a Community in Imperial China

Across centuries of Diaspora, Jews had a remarkable knack for finding their way into positions of influence wherever they landed—from Mordechai the Jew in Persia, to European diplomats, to familiar names like Moses Montefiore. But did you know that Jews also rose to the top in the Far East? Meet Zhao Yingcheng—the Jew who became a senior official in the Chinese empire.

Many people don’t realize that Jewish communities existed in China for hundreds of years, but history tells a surprising story. As early as the 8th century CE, during the Tang dynasty, Jewish merchants—likely from Persia or Iraq—reached China via the Silk Road. They settled in Kaifeng, then the imperial capital, and built an organized community with a synagogue, study institutions, and independent religious leadership. For generations, Kaifeng’s Jews preserved a distinct identity: Hebrew names, kashrut, Shabbatot, and even the writing of Sifrei Torah. The Chinese called them the 'upright pigs' religion—a hint that they did not eat pork, and that they were seen as moral, upstanding citizens.

In 1610, a boy named Zhao Yingcheng (Zhao Yingcheng) was born into the Jewish community of Kaifeng. His family was wealthy and held high standing in the local Jewish community. From a young age, he showed exceptional talent and wisdom beyond his years. Unlike many community members who continued in trade and crafts—the traditional Jewish professions worldwide—Zhao chose a different path. He began studying classical Chinese texts, a field that was almost entirely closed to religious minorities.

The path was anything but easy. Confucian studies, which underpinned China’s political and social order, were rigorous and demanding, designed to shape the elite of the imperial bureaucracy. Zhao poured immense effort into mastering classical Chinese, writing poetry and philosophy, and, above all, preparing for the civil service examinations—a famously strict, years-long system that selected candidates for key roles in government.

Zhao didn’t just pass the exams—he excelled. This achievement was unprecedented for a member of a small religious minority so culturally distinct from the Han mainstream. His success made him a standout figure and earned him important political appointments.

Ultimately, Zhao Yingcheng was appointed governor of the Ningbo region, one of the Chinese empire’s key areas. In this role, he was responsible not only for administering government affairs but also for upholding justice and maintaining public order. Despite his high status and broad influence, Zhao never forgot his Jewish roots or the community he came from. He used his position to protect Jews from persecution by corrupt officials in the bureaucracy—a constant threat to religious minorities in such times.

When a severe flood struck the province and badly damaged the imperial city, Zhao led the recovery efforts. He invested his own funds to restore the Kaifeng synagogue, reorganized the community’s institutions, and ensured the restoration of Sifrei Torah damaged by the disaster. In 19th-century official documents, Zhao is mentioned as having worked to retrieve Sifrei Torah that had been temporarily held by Chinese officials, making sure they were returned 'to the House of Israel in Kaifeng'.

Sadly, the Jewish community in China did not survive into the present day. The vast distance from other Jewish communities, intermarriage, and pressure from the authorities led to its assimilation.