Across China: Heartwarming documentary touches on Sino-Japanese friendship

Born in Harbin, capital of northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Maruyama Iwao was just 11 years old when he was repatriated to his native country, Japan in 1946.

Now 81, Maruyama's story has been made into the documentary, "Travel With Me: A Journey of Gratitude Over 70 Years," which is set to be screened in China Tuesday.

The film tells the story of Maruyama's recent bicycle trip, where he retraced the journey he made from from Harbin to Huludao, Liaoning Province, 70 year ago.

"Along the way I was touched by the helpfulness of Chinese people, just like in the old days," Maruyama said.

Tian Yuhong, vice head of China Radio International, which produced the documentary, said that they would like the film to make people reflect on history, enhance Sino-Japanese relations, and call for the respect of peace and life.

During the Chinese people's war of resistance against Japanese aggression that ended in 1945, more than 35 million Chinese people were killed or injured.

More than one million Japanese people were sent back home between 1946 and 1948.

"At that time, China was in the heat of civil war," Maruyama said. "To ensure our safety, many Chinese people protected us along the way. Japan committed such a crime but we were ultimately forgiven. Were we on the Chinese side, I am not sure if the Japanese would have done the same."

Maruyama hadn't thought of retracing his journey in China until 2011 when he was working as a volunteer, following the massive earthquake in Japan.

He met another man who planned to travel in China by bike and decided to join him. The plan sounded crazy to many.

"I was 77 years old, and Japan and China were not on good terms due to the Diaoyu Islands dispute," he said.

But he could not be dissuaded.

In 2012, they rode about 300 km from Shanghai to Nanjing, eastern China.

Inspired by the trip, Maruyama had an even bolder plan.

"I was helped by so many Chinese people," he said.

"Should I die before saying thanks to them? It would have been a great regret to me."

The journey from Harbin to Huludao was three times longer than his previous bicycle trip. It was easy to think that a man of his age simply wouldn't be able to do it.

"The first time around, I could only ride 15 km without stopping," he said. This time, he could ride for as long as 100 kilometers each time.

In Harbin, he returned to the streets where he played as a child. He fondly remembers a man called Mr. Lin. In the winter of 1945, the coal and grain in Maruyama's home had all been used up. They were desperate, but Lin gave them a helping hand so that his family didn't starve or suffer from the cold.

"I never did have a chance to thank him," Maruyama said. Lin died some years ago.

However, he did manage to find another old neighbor, Mr. Zhu. When finally shaking his hand, Maruyama was full of emotion.

"If we ever did anything that hurt you, I apologize," Maruyama said.

"Forget about it. Let's cherish the days we have now," Zhu replied.

Another beautiful moment is when Maruyama met a boy wearing a simple garland of willow twigs on his head.

"With my awkward Chinese, I said 'that is pretty,' and he just gave it to me there and then," Maruyama said.

In return, the old man offered the boy the towel he was wearing on his head.

"But he wouldn't accept it. Maybe because he was not as bald as me and didn't need it!" Maruyama said, smiling.

He also talked about a young mother who gave up her seat for him on the subway, and the customs officer at the airport customs who let him bring through two bottles of wine, even though his luggage was overweight.

"Chinese people are just as friendly as they were 70 years ago," he said.

The documentary will be available online at CCTV, Letv, Xinhuanet, and people.com.

At the end of the film, Maruyama visited a monument near the port of Huludao, which marked the site of Japanese people's departure 70 years ago. He made a paper plane, threw it and watched it gently glide into the distance.

"May the friendship between our two countries never die," he said. Endi