Film about Japan's notorious Unit 731 premieres in Hong Kong, Macao

"Evil Unbound," a Chinese-produced film depicting the atrocities committed by the notorious Japanese germ warfare Unit 731 during World War II premiered in China's Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions on Thursday.

Unit 731, a top-secret biological and chemical warfare research base in Harbin, the capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, served as the nerve center for Japanese biological warfare in China and Southeast Asia during WWII.

Historical records indicate that between 1940 and 1945, Unit 731 conducted human experiments on at least 3,000 people, and more than 300,000 people in China were killed by Japan's biological weapons.

The film shows how Unit 731, under the pretext of "water supply and epidemic prevention," detained civilians for experiments such as frostbite tests, gas exposure, and biological weapons trials aimed at gaining an advantage to slow Japan's defeat.

"This film shows the crimes Unit 731 committed in northeast China. What they did crossed the bottom line of all humanity. It was a crime against humanity. So I think the English title carries a sense of anger, it's about reflecting on the history and remembering it," said Ding Hoi David, general manager of Sil-Metropole Organization, the film's producer.

The release has drawn wide public attention in Hong Kong. According to estimates from the independent ticketing platform Hong Kong Movie, the film earned about 187,916 Hong Kong dollars on its opening day, attracting 2,762 viewers across 193 screenings and ranking as the city's top-grossing film. After the screening, many moviegoers said the film taught them to draw lessons from history and reminded them of the importance of cherishing peace.

"Watching this makes me feel even more strongly that we must treasure peace. Peace is so important for us. I hope everyone values the peace and freedom we have today, and that there will be no more wars," said Irene Wan, a Hong Kong actress.

"The film uses such beautiful images to show the most evil and inhumane acts. Every scene was heartbreaking, really heavy. It stays with you after watching," said a moviegoer in Hong Kong.

"We hope that the youth of Macao will better remember history and cherish peace, especially by establishing a correct view of history, so that they may more profoundly understand that it's important to build a strong country and achieve national rejuvenation," said Kong Chi Meng, director of Macao's Education and Youth Development Bureau.

The release of the film coincided with the 94th anniversary of the September 18 Incident in 1931, which marked the start of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. This year also marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in China's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

"Evil Unbound" also opened in theaters in Australia, New Zealand, the United States, Canada, South Korea, and other regions on Thursday.

Film about Japan's notorious Unit 731 premieres in Hong Kong, Macao

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