A relative of British POWs pays tribute at the site where the Lisbon Maru sank in 1942, in October 2019. Photo: Courtesy of the production team

Ten days after its release, the documentary The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru surpassed 10 million yuan ($1.4 million) at the box office, receiving widespread acclaim with a high rating of 9.3/10 on Chinese media review site Douban.

This film became the 23rd documentary in Chinese film history to exceed 10 million yuan at the box office, attracting extensive attention. Amid dramatic global geopolitical changes, especially against the backdrop of significant adjustments in US and European strategies toward China, this film deserves deep reflection from international audiences.

In October 1942, a Japanese cargo ship named Lisbon Maru was mistakenly sunk by an American submarine near Zhoushan Islands, East China's Zhejiang Province. The ship carried 1,816 captured British prisoners of war (POWs).

The Japanese military, in violation of the Geneva Convention, sealed the POWs in the ship's hold and even shot at those attempting to escape. This barbaric act resulted in the loss of many POW's lives.

At this critical juncture, 255 Chinese fishermen emerged as heroes. Disregarding their own safety and facing enemy fire, they manned small boats to rescue the British POWs who had fallen into the water. Their fearless actions led to the survival of 384 POWs, a testament to their extraordinary bravery.

This heroic deed demonstrated the Chinese fishermen's fearless courage and lofty humanitarian spirit. It tells us that even in the darkest moments of the war, when invaders showed the most brutal side of humanity, the light of humanity still shone brightly in these Chinese fishermen.

The Chinese fishermen's rescue operation was a shining example of universal humanity. They did not see nationality, race or political stance, nor did they fear the dangers of war. Their righteous act is a story that should never be forgotten.

This history serves as a stark reminder of the cruelty of war and the brutal atrocities of invaders. 

It calls on us to cherish peace, deeply understand the complexity of geopolitics in East Asia and remain highly vigilant against the revival of militarism. It's a call for reflection and contemplation.

The film is not just a historical puzzle about a significant event, but a crucial piece in understanding the complexities of contemporary international politics. Each detail, painstakingly researched and presented by the producer and his team, is a small piece of the historical puzzle. Their efforts have restored these pieces to their original colors, making the historical significance of the major events and scenes presented in the film even more profound.

This film provides a way for us to deepen our understanding of the complexity of contemporary international politics, which is closely related to us, while viewing this historical puzzle.

Without a clear view of the depths of history, one cannot see the future clearly. Against the backdrop of dramatic changes in the current international political landscape, the enlightening significance of The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru is particularly important.

The film showcases the Chinese people's humanitarian tradition, helping to enhance the international community's understanding of China and its people. 

Two years ago, Chinese President Xi Jinping replied to a letter from the families of British survivors. During his visit to Britain in 2015, President Xi took as an example the rescue of POWs on Lisbon Maru to stress that the friendship forged between the Chinese and British people during the war will never fade and has become a valuable asset in bilateral relations.

In the current complex and changing international situation, the diplomatic concept based on historical friendship provides an important reference for building a new type of international relations.

The success of The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru lies in its ability to evoke people's reflection on history and appreciation for peace. The film bridges the past and present by telling this seemingly sunken history and provides an essential historical perspective, inspiring us to think about how to build a more harmonious and mutually trusting international order.

The author is a senior editor with People's Daily, and currently a senior fellow with the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China. dinggang@globaltimes.com.cn. Follow him on Twitter @dinggangchina