Israel Epstein was a journalist who naturalized as a Chinese citizen and was an important foreign supporter of the Chinese revolutionary movement. Born in Poland in 1915, he grew up in China. In the 1930s, he began working as a journalist, reporting on the Chinese people's struggle against Japanese aggression. Over time, he developed strong political sympathy for the revolution led by Mao Zedong and joined the Communist Party of China after the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949.
Epstein primarily served as an editor and writer for English-language publications aimed at international readers. He participated in translating and promoting Mao Zedong's political works, introducing the position of New China to overseas readers. In 1964, he officially became a Chinese citizen, becoming one of the few foreign-born intellectuals to gain Chinese nationality at the time. Despite his great loyalty, during the political turmoil of the Cultural Revolution, Epstein was imprisoned from 1968 to 1973, a period when many intellectuals and officials were subjected to political scrutiny. He was eventually released and exonerated, returning to his editorial role and remaining active at the forefront of Chinese public life for decades thereafter.
Epstein primarily served as an editor and writer for English-language publications aimed at international readers. He participated in translating and promoting Mao Zedong's political works, introducing the position of New China to overseas readers. In 1964, he officially became a Chinese citizen, becoming one of the few foreign-born intellectuals to gain Chinese nationality at the time. Despite his great loyalty, during the political turmoil of the Cultural Revolution, Epstein was imprisoned from 1968 to 1973, a period when many intellectuals and officials were subjected to political scrutiny. He was eventually released and exonerated, returning to his editorial role and remaining active at the forefront of Chinese public life for decades thereafter.