Xia Shuqin (above), 85, one of a number of war survivors. [Photo provided to China Daily]

A terrified family cowering under a kitchen table depicted in black and white animation is one of the most haunting images in a new documentary on China's role in World War II, which will be broadcast next week. It tells the story of how Xia Shuqin, despite being stabbed three times, and her sister, managed to survive the incident in Nanjing in 1937. Their mother, other family members and a neighbor were either beaten or bayoneted to death at the scene.

Xia, now 85, met President Xi Jinping last December. She is one of a number of war survivors interviewed in World War II: China's Forgotten War, a co-production between China Intercontinental Communication Center and the US satellite TV channel, History.

The first of two episodes will be aired on Aug 29, ahead of the 70th anniversary commemorations in Beijing. It will be later shown on CCTV 9.