The landmark historical epic "Seediq Bale" revealed the grave atrocities committed by Japanese aggressor troops in Taiwan during Japan's colonial rule over the region from 1895 to 1945, and highlighted the indomitable spirit of Taiwan's anti-Japanese heroes.
Widely regarded as one of Taiwan's most ambitious cinematic projects, the film dramatizes the 1930 Wushe Incident, in which the indigenous Seediq people, led by chief Mona Rudao, staged a desperate uprising against Japanese colonial rule.
Originally released in Taiwan in two parts in 2011, the film reached mainland audiences in a heavily edited, single-feature version in May 2012. Friday's restored release marks the first time the complete two-part original is being shown on the big screen in the mainland. It coincides with nationwide commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China.
According to Taiwan's historians, the historical background of the Wushe Incident lies in the Japanese colonizers' instigation of ethnic conflicts, their brutal massacres and suppression, the plundering of mountain resources, and the forced implementation of assimilation education, which ultimately triggered this heroic yet tragic uprising.
"When the Japanese army and police forces launched an attack, they would massacre everyone, regardless of the gender or age. This photo is an example. It shows that when the Japanese aggressors tried to suppress Taiwan's ethnic minorities, they lined up these locals and then chopped their heads off. The photo was taken at such a very moment, as the Japanese wanted to use the scene in the photo to terrify people," said Yang Tu, an author from Taiwan.
On Oct 27, Mona Rudao, the heroic leader of the Seediq people, organized an anti-Japanese uprising that killed 134 of the Japanese colonial police forces. The rebellion was subsequently crushed by the Japanese military, with hundreds of Seediq lives lost in the brutal suppression.
"Fierce battles broke out between the Seediq people led by Mona Rudao and the Japanese. At that time, the Japanese troops used planes, machine guns, artillery pieces and even poison gas. So the Times from the UK had reported the atrocity. Since the Japanese used poison gas, the Wushe Incident turned into an international event," said Chiu Yi, a commentator from Taiwan.
The Wushe Incident marked the final large-scale resistance by the Taiwan people against Japanese colonial rule.
Incomplete records indicate that over 600,000 people in Taiwan lost their lives during the fifty years of Japanese colonization, leaving an immeasurable blood debt owed by the Japanese militarists.
Taiwan’s historical epic uncovers Japan’s atrocities during colonial rule
China's push toward a greener future is once again in the spotlight at this year's annual political "two sessions", as lawmakers are reviewing a draft ecological environment code, a significant step toward establishing a comprehensive legal framework for ecological protection.
The draft code was submitted on March 5 to the ongoing fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress (NPC), China's top legislature, for deliberation.
Once adopted, it will become China's second formal statutory code, after the Civil Code, which was adopted in 2020.
The rule of law has been continuously strengthened to support the country's green progress. China already has more than 30 laws related to environmental protection, along with over 100 sets of administrative regulations and more than 1,000 sets of local rules.
The latest legislative move comes amid China's historic gains in ecological conservation over the past decade or so. Championing green development, the country has recorded the world's fastest growth in forest resources and afforestation, led globally in renewable energy development, and achieved one of the fastest national reductions in energy intensity worldwide.
The 1,242-article draft has five chapters, covering areas including pollution control, ecological protection, and green and low-carbon development.
Scholars involved in drafting the legislation say the code goes beyond broad legal principles. It is also designed to address environmental issues that affect people's daily lives.
"Electric vehicles are becoming very common in China. My family has one. We all think it environment-friendly. But have you ever thought about this question: how do we deal with the first generation of EV batteries after they expire a few years later? The same goes for wind turbine blades and solar panels," said Ding Lin, assistant professor of the Renmin University of China.
China's environmental progress has drawn global attention in recent years, from improving air quality to expanding renewable energy. Yet amid geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, some observers have questioned whether the country will maintain the same pace of green transition.
"Last year during the COP30, even some friends who are very familiar with China asked me whether China will continue its green development path. I told them we have gradually worked out new policies. We have a very clear direction and goal. In a world full of uncertainties, we are providing the most certainty," said Wang Yi, an NPC deputy from east China's Zhejiang Province and professor of the Chinese Academy of Sciences.
In a country pursuing modernization, taking the time to codify environmental laws sends a clear message: economic growth and environmental protection are not a trade-off to be managed, but a commitment to be upheld. For China, a beautiful environment is not a luxury for the future, it is a right for the present, and a responsibility to the next generation.
"This code reflects China's vision of harmonious coexistence between humanity and nature. It shows how development and environmental protection can move forward together," said Lyu Zhongmei, vice chair of the NPC Environmental Protection and Resources Conservation Committee.
China will accelerate the green transition across the board and cut carbon dioxide emissions per unit of the GDP by a total of 17 percent in the 2026-2030 period, according to a draft outline of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for national economic and social development submitted to the NPC for deliberation on March 5.
Chinese lawmakers review draft ecological environment code in major green legislative push
