Dongji Island: Legendary WWII Rescue of British POWs

In September 1942, the Lisbon Maru, carrying over 1,800 British prisoners of war, was struck by a torpedo near Dongji Island in Zhoushan, China. As the ship capsized, the Japanese military sealed the cabins and opened fire on the escaping prisoners — an atrocity witnessed by brave Chinese fishermen who risked their lives to mount a daring rescue.

On August 8, 2025, the documentary film Dongji Rescue hit Chinese cinemas. Six years of research and preparation, seven months of intense filming, and featuring groundbreaking underwater cinematography... Director Guan Hu stated that the extensive time and effort invested in Dongji Rescue were not only to showcase the courage, responsibility, and kindness of the Chinese people to a global audience but also to ensure this history reaches the public.

Today, Dongji Island is more than just an island — it stands as an eternal monument to the human spirit, a beacon of friendship and peace.