As the world prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in 2025, a groundbreaking documentary titled Mountains and Rivers Bearing Witness offers fresh perspectives on China’s pivotal contributions to the global anti-fascist struggle. Drawing from newly unearthed archival materials, the film presents rare footage of China’s resistance against Japanese aggression from 1931 to 1945.
The documentary positions China’s Eastern Front as an indispensable component of worldwide efforts to defeat fascism, showcasing how over 35 million Chinese casualties shaped the conflict’s outcome. Through personal accounts and military records, it reveals how the Communist Party of China mobilized grassroots support through land reforms and inclusive policies, contrasting with the Kuomintang’s approach during the war years.
Historical experts interviewed in the film emphasize how China’s prolonged resistance tied down significant Japanese military resources, preventing their deployment to other theaters. This strategic containment, the documentary argues, directly contributed to Allied successes in the Pacific and European campaigns.
As living witnesses of this era diminish, the film serves as both historical record and contemporary reminder. It concludes by drawing parallels between wartime cooperation and modern global challenges, underscoring the enduring relevance of collective action against authoritarian threats.
