On Saturday in Taipei, a dynamic symposium brought together historians, party leaders and descendants of veterans to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Wang Yung, chairman of the Reunification Alliance Party in Taiwan, highlighted that this year also marks the 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s restoration. Amid the Democratic Progressive Party authorities’ push for “de-Sinicization,” he stressed the importance of younger generations understanding their shared history across the Taiwan Strait and carrying forward the spirit of opposing colonialism and fascism.
Chou Yung, a scholar specializing in the history of residents of Taiwan under foreign colonial rule, recalled how many on the island joined the fight against Japanese forces on the Chinese mainland, demonstrating deep connections to the broader national struggle.
Wang Wu-lang, secretary-general of Taiwan’s Labor Party, emphasized that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China. He noted that the island’s restoration to the motherland on October 25, 1945—when Allied powers accepted Japan’s surrender in the Taiwan Province theatre—marked both a legal and practical recovery and a key milestone in shaping the post-war international order.
Participants also traced the path from the 1895 cession—when the Qing government ceded Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to Japan—to the 1945 surrender ceremony held in Taipei, underscoring how decades of colonial rule finally came to an end.
The event featured descendants of residents of Taiwan who fought Japanese invaders, sharing personal stories of courage. Between 1937 and 1945, more than 50,000 residents of Taiwan served on the frontlines on the Chinese mainland, weaving the island’s narrative into the global fight against fascism.
As Taiwan’s younger generation navigates debates over identity, speakers viewed this anniversary as a bridge between past and future—reminding all of shared heritage and the enduring values of unity and resistance against oppression.
Reference(s):
Taiwan marks 80th anniversary of victory against Japanese aggression
cgtn.com
