“The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru” Featured at WWII Commemoration Hosted by Chinese Consulate in Los Angeles

LAPost / Los Angeles (September 3, 2025) — On the evening of September 3, the Chinese Consulate General in Los Angeles hosted the Film Reception in Commemoration of the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Consul General Ambassador Shaochun Guo and his wife Wei Wang welcomed over 100 guests, including Flying Tigers veteran Mel McMullen, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, alongside community leaders, scholars, and student representatives. Deputy Consul General Hongjiang Huang presided over the reception.

The event featured a screening of “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru”, a documentary directed and written by Fang Li. The film recounts the 1942 tragedy when more than 1,800 British prisoners of war were transported on the Japanese cargo ship Lisbon Maru. After being struck by an American torpedo near Zhoushan, Zhejiang, Japanese forces abandoned ship and trapped the POWs in sealed holds. Local fishermen risked their lives to rescue survivors, an act of courage rediscovered through Fang’s extensive research, interviews with over 130 descendants of survivors, and the collection of thousands of rare historical records and photographs. The documentary was China’s official submission for Best Documentary at the 97th Academy Awards and won the Golden Rooster Award for Best Documentary/Science Film in 2024.

In his keynote address, Ambassador Guo highlighted the immense sacrifices made by the Chinese people during World War II:

“It was a victory of justice over evil, light over darkness, and progress over reaction. China was the main battlefield in the East, fighting the longest and sacrificing the most, with 35 million casualties and immense economic losses. Yet China’s contributions made an indelible mark on the victory of the world anti-fascist war.”

He emphasized the solidarity between China and the United States during the war, paying tribute to the Flying Tigers and their enduring friendship with the Chinese people. Turning to present-day challenges, Guo stressed that commemorating history is not about perpetuating hatred but about safeguarding peace:

“To respect history is to respect peace. China will always be a builder of world peace, a contributor to global development, and a defender of international order.”

Ambassador Guo also called for deeper cooperation between China and the U.S., pointing to recent positive developments in bilateral dialogue and urging both nations to uphold peace and stability as major global powers.

Georges N. Chamchoum, founder and executive director of the Asian World Film Festival, praised Fang Li’s film:

“This movie recounts a little-known chapter of history with emotional depth and human stories of courage, compassion, and trauma. It is harrowing, touching, and profoundly moving.”

Student representatives from the Southwest Chinese Students and Scholars Association (SWCSSA), comprising members from nearly ten universities including USC and Caltech, also attended. Annie Li, SWCSSA president and a senior at UC Riverside, spoke on behalf of overseas Chinese youth:

“Though we live and study abroad, our first homeland will always remain in our hearts. We are young ambassadors of Chinese civilization, building bridges of cultural exchange and mutual understanding. History teaches us that victory comes from unity, and our generation must carry that torch forward.”

After the screening, young Hollywood director Tanxu Shi remarked that the documentary’s dual narrative—combining historical recollection with a modern journey of discovery—brought the forgotten past vividly to life. He found the climax especially moving, as the two threads converged with British soldiers’ descendants visiting Dongji Island for a farewell across time and space. Shi praised the film for its emotional depth and respect for history, calling it a sincere documentary worth revisiting.

Alongside the film screening, an exhibition of historical photographs from the Chinese People’s War of Resistance was displayed in the consulate halls, further reminding guests of the shared legacy of sacrifice and resilience that continues to inspire peace and friendship today. 

(By: Richard Ren / LAPost)