New WWII documentary to premiere on CCTV
新二戰紀錄片播放

Beijing is gearing up for grand celebrations on September the Second and Third to mark the conclusion of World-War-Two, 70 years ago. A week beforehand, a new documentary series will air that examines China's pivotal role in the Allied victory.

"Oriental Main Battlefield" explores the Eastern battlefield long overlooked in Western-centered narratives of the war. It draws together a wide range of historical sources, including de-classified government files, news reports by Chinese and foreign journalists, and war archives from museums and research institutes around the world.

"We look at history with full respect and, in our documentary, we want to tell history the way it was. It's important to review our perspective towards history on such an occasion," said Yan Dong, chief producer.

The series is very thoroughly researched. Prior to shooting, the writers spent two years working on the script in consultation with several university professors and museum curators. And the filming crew traveled to more than 180 locations where battles actually took place.

What's more, the production features many hours of footage and images previously unreleased.

"Younger generations have no direct experience of being at war, so they tend to learn and understand history with an independent perspective. This new documentary series is all about historical facts, which they'll love," Yan said.

The series ties in with recent comments by British author Francis Pike about China's critical role in tying down one-and-a-half million Japanese troops during the conflict. He argued history will be rebalanced to look at events in Asia during the Second World War as more important than those in Europe.

"Oriental Main Battlefield" premieres on the 25th of August on China Central Television's Channels 1, 4 and 10.