The Chinese-produced World War II film Dongji Rescue has begun screening in Malaysia, conveying a message of peace and the brotherhood of humanity that has resonated with local audiences.
The film recounts the story of how Chinese fishermen risked their lives to rescue more than 300 British prisoners of war (POWs) from a Japanese ship in 1942.
In October 1942, the Lisbon Maru, a cargo vessel requisitioned by the Japanese army to carry more than 1,800 British POWs from Hong Kong to Japan, was hit by the U.S. army off the Zhoushan Islands, China’s Zhejiang Province.
Malaysian viewers said the story has important lessons for today’s world as conflicts continue to rage on.
“There should not be so many wars in the world. We should remember history so that we can put a stop to wars. It’s a bit of cruel story, because it shows that the Japanese army indiscriminately killed prisoners of war,” said a local named Ng Chee Han while sharing his reflections on the film.
“As I see it, those fishermen were just like normal human beings, but they think that they have the duty, as human nature, to save a life. Even though they are just normal human, but in the end they become heroes. It’s very powerful, even the soundtrack, the cinematography, everything is fantastic,” said another resident named Aasta Odinaa.
Dongji Rescue had earlier premiered in countries including the UK and Australia.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. On the main Eastern battlefield, China’s resistance efforts were decisive in defeating Japanese fascism and supporting other fronts in Europe and Asia.
Humanity of fishermen depicted in Chinese WWII film moves Malaysian viewers
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi met with Afghan Interior Minister Sirajuddin Haqqani in Kabul, Afghanistan on Wednesday.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said that China has always pursued a friendly policy toward Afghanistan, stood for equality among all countries, and adhered to the principle of non-interference in internal affairs.
He stressed that China respects Afghanistan’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as its development path chosen by the Afghan people, its unique national conditions and religious traditions, adding that in Afghanistan’s pursuit of development and revitalization, China is a reliable partner and friend of Afghanistan.
China supports Afghanistan’s policy of prioritizing economic development and is willing to contribute to its development and revitalization, Wang said.
He said that China will continue to oppose unreasonable pressure on Afghanistan and freeze of its assets, and supports an early resumption of bilateral patrols in the Wakhan Corridor to maintain peace and tranquility in border areas, urging Afghanistan to take firm actions to crack down on the East Turkestan Islamic Movement and other international terror groups so as to safeguard China-Afghanistan cooperation.
Haqqani expressed appreciation for China’s long-standing support for Afghanistan’s development and the people’s livelihood, as well as its support for Afghanistan’s integration into the international community.
He said that Afghanistan is ready to carry forward a friendship with China, and further expand cooperation in various fields, stressing that Afghanistan attaches great importance to China’s security concerns, and Afghanistan will never allow anyone to use its territory to undermine China’s security.
Chinese FM meets Afghan interior minister