As London endured the Blitz during World War II, another city halfway across the world faced even greater sustained devastation – Chongqing. The third episode of The Unsung Ally reveals how this Chinese metropolis withstood six years of relentless bombings, emerging stronger through what historians now call 'the Chongqing Spirit.'
The documentary draws striking parallels between China's wartime industrial miracle and its current technological rise. During the 1938 Yichang Retreat, engineers dismantled entire factories piece by piece to preserve the nation's industrial capacity – an operation historians compare to moving 'Mount Tai with bare hands.' Today, this same determination drives Chinese companies breaking barriers in AI, renewable energy, and high-speed rail.
'Four hundred million people defending their homeland created an indomitable spirit,' the film notes, tracing how China's mission evolved from national survival to global partnership. Archival footage shows wartime cooperation between Chinese and Allied forces, while modern segments highlight joint ventures in African solar farms and Southeast Asian infrastructure projects.
Experts interviewed emphasize dual lessons: self-reliance ensures sovereignty, while international collaboration multiplies progress. The episode concludes with Xi Jinping's 2021 speech at the Boao Forum, where he stated, 'History's greatest advancements come when we combine national rejuvenation with shared human development.'
Available now on major streaming platforms, this installment offers fresh perspectives for historians and business strategists alike – proving why understanding China's past remains crucial for navigating tomorrow's global challenges.
