An opera based on the diaries of German businessman John Rabe, who was in Nanjing during the time of the Japanese invasion in 1937, has made its debut in the Jiangsu capital. CGTN's Hu Nan was there to see it.

The darkest 170 days in Nanjing's history were portrayed on stage on December 13th, the date the Japanese army invaded this city 80 years ago. The opera Diaries of John Rabe is based on the personal journals of this German businessman who lived in Nanjing at the time of the Nanjing Massacre. He is best known for his efforts to stop the atrocities of the Japanese army during the occupation of Nanjing and for his work to protect and help Chinese civilians. The Nanjing Safety Zone, which he helped to establish, sheltered approximately 200,000 Chinese people from slaughter.

TANG JIANPING LEAD ACTOR, THE DIARIES OF JOHN RABE "I've collected all available historical materials of John Rabe, his books, letters, video footage and other art works about him, to revive a vivid image of Rabe for his great love of humanity. In addition to the profound historical significance, this opera enjoys great value of art work too."

XUE HAOYIN LEAD ACTOR, THE DIARIES OF JOHN RABE "As the leading actor, I feel the challenge of playing an overseas character in an original Chinese opera. You have to keep thinking how to bring out the soul of the character, and my understanding gets deeper every week."

After the performance, several foreign friends, including the descendants of John Rabe, received Zijin Grass International Commemorative Medal of Peace.

THOMAS RABE JOHN'S GRANDSON "I'm emotionally, deeply impressed by the performance of the opera, it's a very emotional moment to see my grandfather live on stage here, thank you very much."

HU NAN NANJING "This opera tells the world through music, the international language, that remembering history is not done for the sake of hatred, but to safeguard world peace and stability. Hu Nan, CGTN, Nanjing, Jiangsu province."