Hero Hogg highlights China's overlooked wartime story

In addition to the London event, CGTN Europe premiered a trailer for its upcoming documentary Witness to War: George Hogg in China. In the absence of much archival footage, the team turned to Hogg's writings and used artificial intelligence technology to recreate scenes from his life, offering younger audiences an immersive introduction to a story largely forgotten in Western narratives of the war.

Renowned British historian Michael Wood, who is president of SACU, called Hogg's story a rare window into China's wartime experience.

"You can tell people that China was so important in World War II, and you can give them facts and figures, but this is a real personal story of somebody who was so moved by the sufferings of the Chinese people," he explained.

Frances Wood, vice-president of SACU, also a noted sinologist, echoed the sentiment. She said Hogg's legacy helps spotlight China's underrecognized role as the "forgotten fourth ally" in World War II.

"China contributed hugely… that needs to be remembered," she said. "Hogg's story helps restore that part of history."

For Thomas, writing Blades of Grass was about more than biography. "He wasn't political, he was a humanitarian," he said. "The major message he would give is tolerance, not to hate… try to understand other people."

Chen Yuehua contributed to the story