🔥 CMG's new six-part documentary is a must-watch if you're curious about Asia's untold stories. Dropped to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration, this series combines rigorous research with heartfelt testimonies from residents of the Taiwan region and the Chinese mainland.
📜 The series takes you on a journey back to the Yangtze River Basin, highlighting shared family roots across the strait. It exposes the exploitation and oppression endured during Japan’s 50-year colonial rule and celebrates the courageous resistance that sprang up on the island.
🌊 During the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, many Taiwan compatriots crossed the strait to support the Chinese mainland, some paying the ultimate price. For the first time, you’ll see rare letters, memoirs, and artifacts that bring their sacrifices to life.
✊ The documentary shines a spotlight on how the Communist Party of China and the Kuomintang joined forces—each in their own way—to oppose international trusteeship over Taiwan and push for its return to the nation. You’ll even catch a draft press release of the Cairo Declaration from the US National Archives.
🎉 Post-restoration, the series captures the vibrant revival of Chinese culture: ancestor memorial ceremonies, visits by Taiwan delegations to Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum in Nanjing, the repatriation of Japanese prisoners, street renaming, and the comeback of Mandarin education.
🌏 Shot across more than a dozen provinces on the Chinese mainland and in the Taiwan region, and backed by archival digs in China, Japan, and the US, this doc features never-before-seen documents, diaries, and photos.
⭐️ Zhang Han, spokesperson for the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, calls it a “high-quality TV production” that not only defends the historical truth but also challenges the “Taiwan secession” narrative. As Zhang says, “History is the best textbook”—a powerful reminder for compatriots across the strait and overseas to unite and keep these stories alive.
Whether you’re a history buff, student, or just love a good story, this doc is for you. Grab some popcorn, hit play, and dive into 80 years of shared history, struggle, and cultural pride! 🍿🎥
Reference(s):
CMG airs documentary commemorating 80 years of Taiwan's restoration
cgtn.com
