Relatively unknown in the West, the Battle of Shanghai has been described by some historians as the last battle of WWI, and by others as the first of World War II. In 1937, Shanghai was Asia’s most cosmopolitan city, and the conflict would make headlines around the globe. Documentary SHANGHAI 1937: WHERE
WORLD WAR II BEGAN (Tuesday 17th, 8.40pm) examines the latest historical perspectives on this key incident, which marked the moment China finally stood up to Japanese provocation.

Charting the course of events that led to the outbreak of warfare and set in motion the destiny of modern China, it features rare footage and vivid accounts from those who, as children in Shanghai, experienced the fighting and lived to tell the tale.