2nd October 2023 – (Beijing) On China’s National Day, the PLA Eastern Theatre Command unveiled its latest animated short film titled “Dreams Come True on the Fuchun River.” This release follows a trilogy of Mid-Autumn Festival themed animations and aims to express the shared cultural heritage and hope for reunification between the two sides of the Taiwan Straits.
The animated short film employs a personification technique, featuring the ancient-style elves, “Master Wuyong” and “Remaining Mountain,” who vividly narrate the story of “The Master Wuyong Scroll” currently housed in the National Palace Museum in Taipei.
Taking inspiration from the series “Escape from the British Museum” created by Chinese social media influencers, where a jade teapot transforms into a woman and escapes from the British Museum, the two elves return to the Chinese mainland and reunite with the “Remaining Mountain Scroll” housed in the Zhejiang Provincial Museum. This narrative creates a story of reunification and the fulfilment of dreams on the banks of the Fuchun River.
Experts have praised the Eastern Theatre Command’s choice of topic, noting its rich content and profound meaning. From the separation of cultural relics during the relocation of the Palace Museum to Taiwan over half a century ago, to the joint exhibition in Taipei in 2011 promoted by intellectuals from both sides of the Taiwan Straits, the fate of the painting “Dwelling in the Fuchun Mountains” serves as a vivid portrayal of cross-Straits relations.
The short film not only embodies the shared roots and origins of the Chinese people but also depicts the joys and sorrows experienced by Chinese compatriots. It incorporates elements such as aircraft carrier formations and J-20 fighter jets, showcasing the remarkable progress and evolving capabilities of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA). This serves as a demonstration of the PLA’s unwavering determination to safeguard national sovereignty and security.
As the “Master Wuyong” and “Remaining Mountain” reunite, the short film symbolically depicts the grandeur of the Hangzhou Asian Games, representing the prosperity and strength of the motherland. When the two elves return to their beloved hometown near the Fuchun River after years of separation, their journey not only fulfils their own dreams but also evokes a shared national sentiment and patriotism in the hearts of Chinese compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits. It also expresses the common aspiration of compatriots on both sides to draw closer and reunite.
In comparison to the challenging journey of the jade pot in the British Museum series, the return journey of the “Master Wuyong” and “Remaining Mountain” in this short film unfolds smoothly. It serves as a testament to the constant guardianship and steadfast defence of the PLA during the return journey across the Taiwan Straits.