A Paper’s Resistance against Japanese Aggression debuts in Beijing

A documentary featuring the Chinese newspaper Takungpao’s resistance against the Japanese aggression debuted in Beijing on April 25.

Jia Xiping, chief editor of Takungpao, addresses the audience at the debut of A Paper’s Resistance against Japanese Aggression, the first Chinese documentary featuring that period from the perspective of media people. [Photo by Wang Yifei/ chinadaily.com.cn]

A Paper’s Resistance against Japanese Aggression features historical events from 1931 to 1945 which Takungpao took part in, witnessed, and publicized. It aims to pay tribute to the paper’s special efforts and contribution to the resistance.

“Takungpao has been a faithful recorder of history since its establishment over a century ago; the past journalists’ dedication and selflessness inspires generations of reporters. The documentary serves as a reference for later research on Takungpao and that period of history,” said Jia Xiping, the paper’s chief editor.

Takungpao had many famous reporters such as Hu Zhengzhi, Zhang Jiluan, Wang Yunsheng, Fan Changjiang, Meng Qiujiang, Xiao Qian, Lv Deshun, Zhu Qiping and Fang Dazeng. They went to the frontline to cover the war and write articles to encourage the Chinese people to carry on the resistance efforts.

They were witness to many historical moments. For example, among the three Chinese reporters present at the Japanese surrender aboard the USS MISSOURI in September 1945, two were from Takungpao.

“The documentary is unique because of its distinctive perspective. Despite the numerous Chinese films or documentaries on the resistance of Japanese Aggression, none featured resistance via culture,” said executive director Liu Qingyun.

“I used to show my students a ten minute video of Takungpao in the News History course. Thanks to this documentary, they can have a much deeper understanding of the paper and the history of that period,” said Li Yu, vice professor at the Communication University of China.

The documentary was filmed for about a year across 17 provinces of China, as well as in Japan, France, the UK and Myanmar.

The filmmakers interviewed relatives of past reporters Hu Zhengzhi, Fan Changjiang and Xiao Qian, and journalism historians such as Fang Hanqi, Chen Fengchang and Hou Jie.

The film is listed as a key documentary by the State Administration of Press, Publication, Radio, Film, and Television of the People’s Republic of China.

Its six episodes are the first attempt to cover China’s resistance against the Japanese aggression from the perspective of a paper and Chinese media people.

One of these 38 minutes episodes will be aired each day at 10:04 pm on CCTV 10 from May 3 to 8.

Established on June 17, 1902 in Tianjin, Takungpao is the only Chinese media honored with an “Outstanding Award” from the Journalism School of the University of Missouri in the US.

Crew members of A Paper’s Resistance against the Japanese Invasion share details of shooting the film at its debut in Beijing. [Photo by Wang Yifei/ chinadaily.com.cn]

Liu Qingyun, executive director of the documentary A Paper’s Resistance against the Japanese Aggression, is interviewed by reporters at the debut in Beijing on April 25. [Photo by Wang Yifei/ chinadaily.com.cn]