Evil Unbound, a film spotlighting the crimes of notorious Japanese germ warfare Unit 731 during WWII, was screened in multiple Australian cities on Thursday.
The premiere events were held in Sydney and Melbourne, drawing over 400 attendees, including Australian community leaders, overseas Chinese residents, and international students.
Hakim Gassiep, community liaison of the Australian Citizens Party, said that he was deeply affected by the film.
"What I was impressed about in this movie is the humanity that came across from the victims, the spirit of resistance, the spirit of companionship and common humanity, the spirit of helping each other. And although it was gut wrenching to sort of close my eyes for some of the scenes," he said.
Robert Barwick, national chairman of the Australian Citizens Party, called the movie shocking and sobering.
"I'm very moved. But it is a shocking movie. I was quite shocked throughout. But it's also a very moving story of human resilience from the victims. That's when it's the truth when that's what happened, it really does need to be told. We know a lot about the European experience in WWII, but very little about the Chinese experience. I don't think it's acceptable that the Japanese government has so many people in it that deny this history," he said.
People who attended the Sydney premiere were visibly moved by the film's graphic portrayal of the experiment and the stories of some of the victims.
"It's mind-blowing to me, I think the public needs to know this story," said an audience member.
"I just feel like even though history has passed, we couldn't forget. Like people who live in history that can give us a better life today," said another audience member.
Evil Unbound was released on September 18, 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.
Unit 731, a top-secret biological and chemical warfare research base, was established in the Pingfang District of Harbin, and served as the nerve center for Japanese biological warfare in China and Southeast Asia during World War II.
Historical records suggest that between 1940 and 1945, at least 3,000 people were used in human experiments by Unit 731, while Japan's biological weapons killed more than 300,000 people in China.
Chinese film on Japan's WWII atrocities premieres in Australia
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
