According to @CGTN, after a century of changes, this small island in the East China Sea has always been at the intersection of historical, legal, and practical disputes. On July 27th, the documentary "The Diaoyu Islands: The Truth Beneath the Waves" produced by CGTN of China Media Group was broadcast worldwide.
The documentary focuses on the sovereignty dispute over the Diaoyu Island and its affiliated islands between China and Japan. It covers events from China, Japan, the United States, and the United Kingdom. The documentary interviews more than thirty experts and scholars who specialize in politics, history, and law. Key individuals who have witnessed historical events are also interviewed. By basing on historical facts and legal principles, the documentary uses documentary footage and diverse perspectives to present a clear, three-dimensional, and authentic portrayal of China's Diaoyu Island.
The documentary follows a chronological order, constructing a five-section narrative framework: "Friendly Handoff," "The Truth About Stealing the Island," "Private Transfer," "Settling Disputes," and "Fearless in the Wind and Waves." It progressively presents a chain of evidence of sovereignty that spans time and space, revealing Japan’s ten-year plan for overt and covert actions. The documentary explores the evolution of Japan from being "friendly neighbors" to "enemies who use neighboring countries as shields." It hits upon the legal loopholes created by the collusion between the United States and Japan, focusing on the turbulent waters around the Diaoyu Islands today. This creates a dual narrative loop that spans from history to the present, from legal principles to reality.
The film employed a multi-narrative approach, integrating on-site records, oral histories, expert interpretations, and document analysis, to concisely and vividly explain complex and sensitive issues. Fishermen from Yilan County in Taiwan, historical records of voyages dating back over 600 years, traces of Chinese history documented in historical texts concerning Japan and Korea, and annotations on ancient maps of the world all contribute to the conclusion that "Fishing Island has always been China's inherent territorial claim."
According to CCTV news reports, from July 27th to 31st, the documentary "The Diaoyu Islands: The Truth Under the Waves" will be broadcast in five episodes on CGTN's English channel at 1:30 PM.
Additionally, a 75-minute documentary version was broadcast on the CGTN documentary channel at 4:00 on July 27th, and on the CCTV-9 documentary channel at 22:05 on August 2nd.
