The red carpet was rolled out in Odeon Leicester Square as Chinese war drama Dongji Rescue made its European debut in London on Friday, drawing an enthusiastic crowd and heartfelt praise for its depiction of an important chapter of World War II history.
Dongji Rescue recounts the story of how Chinese fishermen risked their lives to rescue more than 300 British prisoners of war (POWs) from the Japanese ship Lisbon Maru in 1942.
In October 1942, Lisbon Maru, a cargo vessel requisitioned by the Japanese army to carry more than 1,800 British POWs from Hong Kong to Japan, was hit by the U.S. army off the Zhoushan Islands, China's Zhejiang province.
The premiere drew an audience of some 800. It was also attended by Chinese Ambassador to the UK Zheng Zeguang, who highlighted that the film's resonance lies in its remembrance of the historical ties between the two nations.
"We should cherish the memories and carry forward the friendship between the peoples of our two countries," he said.
The film's creators, also in attendance, emphasized the story should not be forgotten.
"I believe history is written by the people. It is precisely through generation after generation of Chinese people making choices in harsh and difficult circumstances that our history has been written -- etched into the very fabric of it," said Zhu Yilong, the film's actor.
British actor William Franklyn-Miller, who portrays one of the rescued soldiers, said he hopes the story will resonate globally.
Survivors' families have long kept the memory alive, including Gerry Borge, whose father and uncle were both rescued.
"If they hadn't saved my father and uncle, I wouldn't be here today to tell the story. So I think it's a fantastic story that people need to know," said Borge.
For decades, the Lisbon Maru tragedy remained a footnote in war history. Friday's premiere brought that story to center stage, sparking emotional reactions from the audience.
"It was tremendously entertaining, but even more so, educational," said a premiere attendee.
"I hope it will do well and I hope it will make people think," another attendee said.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. On the main Eastern battlefield, China's resistance efforts were decisive in defeating Japanese fascism and supporting other fronts in Europe and Asia.
Chinese WWII film 'Dongji Rescue' resonates with premiere viewers 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
