Chinese film Dongji Rescue, inspired by a real story about Chinese fishermen rescuing British prisoners of war (POWs) from a Japanese ship during World War II, made its European premiere in London on Friday.
In September 1942, the Japanese ship Lisbon Maru carrying more than 1,800 British POWs was sunk in the waters east of China’s Zhoushan Islands, and Chinese fishermen from Dongji, the easternmost one of the island group, risked their lives to save 384 of them.
Liang Jing, producer of the film, said Dongji Rescue honors Chinese fishermen's bravery.
"The Chinese fishermen braved rains of bullets to save people. It is the inherent kindness of the Chinese people. I think courage doesn't have to mean fighting violence with violence. The fishermen were unarmed, but after witnessing the darkness and ugliness of human nature, they still chose their inherent courage and kindness. I think this is the highlight of the film," she said.
William Franklyn-Miller, an actor in the film, said the film plays a role in cultural exchange, and teaches people to be kind to others in need.
"I think it's very important in this film just to bridge those cultures as well, especially in times like this. I think there's a lot going on in the world, and so it is, I mean not to sound cliche, but very, very important that people watch this movie. And it just shows that love is human, and all humans should be kind to each other, really, on a baseline," he said.
Among the audience was Denise Wynne, daughter of Lisbon Maru survivor Dennis Morley.
"My father fortunately was rescued and he actually lived to be 101, but before he died he kept saying to me those fishermen were brave men, they were heroes, they saved us at the risk of their own lives. He said they saved him because when the Chinese fishermen came out the Japanese stopped shooting," she said.
World War II film Dongji Rescue premieres in London
World War II film Dongji Rescue premieres in London
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
