The Great Advance - The Battle of Nanjing, Shanghai, and Hangzhou

In April 1949, after the three major battles of Liaoshen, Huaihai, and Pingjin, the military balance between the Nationalists and the Communists underwent a fundamental change. The People’s Liberation Army launched a massive strategic offensive against vast areas still under the control of the Nationalist government, following the orders of Chairman Mao Zedong and Commander-in-Chief Zhu De to 'march towards the whole country.' The initial target was the Jiangsu, Shanghai, and Hangzhou region where the Nationalist forces were heavily stationed. On April 20, 1949, our million-strong army launched the Yangtze River Crossing Campaign from three groups in Central, East, and West, breaking through the long-constructed Nationalist defense line along the Yangtze River under the overwhelming assault of the People’s Liberation Army. Taking advantage of this success, the People’s Liberation Army moved south, capturing Nanjing, disrupting the Zhejiang-Jiangxi rail line, occupying Hangzhou, and advancing towards Shanghai. To ensure the safety of the lives and property of the people of Shanghai and to protect the city's buildings, the People’s Liberation Army made extensive sacrifices and strategic deployments, ultimately liberating China's largest city—Shanghai—on May 27. The film presents this grand and magnificent historical narrative while also fully showcasing the important events, key conflicts, and pivotal figures—the decision-makers, commanders, and participants of these historical events—at significant moments of profound transformation in Chinese society.