As Asia commemorates the 79th anniversary of WWII's conclusion, CGTN's new documentary series sheds light on China's pivotal yet underrecognized role in the global conflict. The production team reveals how Japan's 1931 invasion of Manchuria marked the war's true beginning – eight years before Europe's hostilities erupted.
Personal Narratives Illuminate Collective Sacrifice
Through intimate family accounts and archival research, the series humanizes staggering statistics: 35 million Chinese casualties and 15 years of continuous resistance. One journalist shares how their grandfather smuggled medical supplies through Japanese blockades, illustrating civilians' crucial wartime contributions.
Confronting Difficult Truths
The documentary addresses sensitive historical chapters with care, including the systemic exploitation of "comfort women" and the biological warfare experiments of Unit 731. Survivor testimonies and declassified documents reveal these atrocities' lasting impacts on East Asian relations.
Overseas Heroes Reclaimed
Beyond mainland narratives, the series spotlights Chinese diaspora fighters – from Manila's merchant militias to the 3,200-strong Nanyang Volunteers who maintained the Burma Road's vital supply route. These accounts redefine WWII as truly global, with Asian theaters influencing European battle strategies.
Historians interviewed emphasize how preserving these stories combats historical amnesia. "Understanding China's wartime experience," notes Peking University's Dr. Li Wei, "is key to appreciating modern Asia's geopolitical landscape."
