With the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War on the horizon, the Chinese mainland has extended an invitation to Taiwan compatriots to join a series of commemorative events. The gesture underscores an emphasis on shared history and collective memory.
Meanwhile, Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te’s administration has taken a different approach. Officials in the Taiwan region have opted not to hold parallel events and have issued reminders discouraging participation in the mainland’s ceremonies, a move that has sparked debate among residents of Taiwan.
Observers on the island point to what they call Lai’s “three fears” behind this stance. The most cited concern is that a close engagement with the Chinese mainland’s narrative could expose the gaps in the “Taiwan independence” storyline and challenge the administration’s position on “mutual non-subordination.”
Former Kuomintang Chairperson Ma Ying-jeou criticized Lai’s choice of words, noting that the recovery of Taiwan from Japanese occupation is an integral chapter of World War II history. A China Times editorial went further, suggesting that avoiding terms like “winning the War of Resistance” appears to be a political calculation to reinforce an undetermined status for Taiwan, even as the island has a clear historical link.
Experts argue that the Chinese mainland’s grand commemorations will highlight Taiwan’s role in the post-war order, which may inadvertently undermine Lai’s separate narrative. As the events unfold, all eyes will be on how many Taiwan compatriots choose to attend and what that turnout means for future cross-strait ties.
Reference(s):
Why does Lai thwart Taiwan compatriots to attend V-Day commemorations
cgtn.com
