As the world marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, two Chinese films carrying profound historical memories are making their way to audiences across the globe this summer.
Dead To Rights, a Chinese historical film about the 1937 Nanjing Massacre, premiered domestically on July 25 before its international rollout starting August 7 in Australia, New Zealand, the U.S., and Canada, with subsequent releases in Malaysia, Singapore, Russia, and South Korea.
In Sydney, Australia, the film's artistic portrayal of historical trauma and human dignity left Sydney viewers deeply affected. For many, the horrors of the Nanjing Massacre were not something they had been much exposed to.
"Actually I was (informed about the story of the Nanjing Massacre), but just an overview, just a little bit. I have friends, with the Chinese, so I knew a little bit, but not this deep," said a moviegoer.
Meanwhile, Dongji Rescue, a story of how Chinese fishermen defied gunfire to rescue over 300 British captives from the Japanese ship Lisbon Maru in 1942, debuted domestically on August 8, with international screenings following from August 14 in Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, the U.K., U.S., and Canada.
The films collectively highlight the moral courage of ordinary Chinese during the war, with Dead To Rights reflecting national solidarity and Dongji Rescue underscoring China's wartime internationalism.
Together, they chart the spiritual heritage of China during the war of resistance.
"History serves as a profound textbook, offering invaluable lessons that guide our progress. From a global perspective, it also stands as a vital beacon, helping nations worldwide recognize that war is transient while peace endures. Only through peaceful advancement can we steer global development toward a brighter future," said Wang Xuebin, a professor at the Party School of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee.
Chinese WWII films spark historical reflection around globe
Russia said on Saturday that its armed forces had taken control over two more settlements in the Sumy and Donetsk regions, while Ukraine, on the same day, reported strikes against a Russian frigate.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said in its latest report that over the past 24 hours, the Russian forces had gained control over the settlements of Vysoke in the Sumy region and Svitle in the Donetsk region.
The ministry also said its forces had struck facilities used to transport Western-supplied weapons, ammunition and fuel depots, as well as temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian forces and foreign mercenaries.
On the same day, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that in the early hours of Friday, Ukrainian troops had successfully hit a Russian frigate using drones. The warship was patrolling near an oil and gas production platform in the Caspian Sea at the time.
It said efforts are currently underway to determine the extent of damage to the vessel and to confirm its hull number.
It also reported that a drilling platform located at the Filanovsky oil and gas field in the Caspian Sea had been struck. The platform, owned by Russian energy corporation Lukoil, has been supplying materials to Russian troops.
So far, there has been no official response from the Russian side regarding these incidents.
Also on Saturday, according to Russia's TASS News Agency, Russian President Vladimir Putin's special envoy Kirill Dmitriev had arrived at a golf club in Miami, U.S. state of Florida, where he held a new round of talks regarding a draft peace plan to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict with U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.
Following the meeting, Dmitriev described the talks with the U.S. as constructive and said that discussions would continue on Sunday.
A day earlier, Ukraine's chief peace negotiator, Rustem Umerov, and the chief of the general staff of the Ukrainian armed forces, Andrii Hnatov, had held consultations in the United States with American and European counterparts on the draft peace plan for the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday that Umerov had briefed him on the previous day's talks between Ukraine and the U.S.
He revealed that the issue of territory remains unresolved and emphasized that Ukraine is committed to reaching a stable and lasting peace agreement that provides reliable long-term security guarantees.
According to Zelensky, the U.S. has proposed holding a trilateral meeting involving the national security advisors of Ukraine, the United States and Russia.
Noting that in the negotiations for a potential peace agreement, the most critical issue -- territory -- remains unsettled, Zelensky said that any agreement should establish the current line of contact as a ceasefire line, with the goal of gradually reclaiming Ukraine’s occupied territories through diplomatic means on that basis. He further emphasized that Ukraine has made it clear to its American partners that, under its constitution, Ukraine cannot cede any territory.
Currently, Ukraine is working with its partners to outline every clause of the agreement, ensuring that it is not a vague deal about the division of territory and resources, but rather one focused on stable, lasting peace and reliable security guarantees, Zelensky said.
He said the security guarantee clauses for Ukraine in the agreement must be fair and effective, and that Ukraine must be fully informed of the specific details -- including how the United States and Europe would respond and react if Russia were to launch another attack, and what kind of deterrence package Ukraine would receive.
Regarding elections, Zelensky said that two aspects require attention in any future Ukrainian elections: security and legislation.
He said that during wartime, ways must be found to advance legislative reforms, while voting can only take place if security is guaranteed. Ukraine has already discussed this matter with the U.S., added Zelensky.
Russia claims capturing 2 more settlements, Ukraine claims strike on Russian frigate
