On August 28, at 8 p.m., my wife and I had the great privilege of attending the viewing of the documentary Nanking at the Garden of Serenity in Sta Luċija.

I already had some idea of the atrocities committed by Japanese troops in China just before World War II. I had also done a bit of reading on the subject before going over to watch that movie.

But nothing I could read could compare with what I saw in this excellent documentary. Like all those present, I was shocked and literally jittered by what I saw, by the immense cruelty mankind is capable of. Nanking, then capital of the Republic of China, was taken by Japanese troops on December 9, 1937 and after that a veritable massacre and rape of over 200,000 civilians, women and children included, was carried out by the Japanese troops for six weeks.

The film describes the Nanking massacre by reading from letters and diaries which show the activities of John Rabe (a German businessman), Robert O. Wilson (the only surgeon remaining to care for legions of victims) and Minnie Vautrin (an educator who defended the lives and honour of Nanking's women in wartime). The film includes survivors who tell their own stories, the archival footage of the events and the testimonies of Japanese soldiers who participated in the rampage.

This excellent film is based on the book by Iris Chang, The Rape Of Nanking. Producer and AOL vice-chairman Ted Leonsis, on reading this book, was inspired to research and eventually embark on the creation of the film project.

I feel extremely grateful to the Malta-China Friendship Society for presenting this immensely valuable and unforgettable educational experience.