The Chinese mainland has sharply criticized Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, led by Lai Ching-te, for downplaying the significance of Taiwan's return to China from Japanese occupation in 1945. This rebuke comes as Friday marks the 79th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration.
Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, emphasized that instead of commemorating this historic event, the DPP authorities chose to whitewash Taiwan's colonial past under Dutch and Japanese rule. Zhu highlighted that such actions deny the outcomes of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, dishonoring the sacrifices of Chinese compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits.
Historically, Japan's aggression against China began in July 1894, leading to the Qing government's forced cession of Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to Japan in 1895. The Cairo Declaration of December 1, 1943, and the Potsdam Proclamation of July 26, 1945, reaffirmed the restoration of these territories to China. On October 25, 1945, the Chinese government announced the resumption of sovereignty over Taiwan, effectively recovering the region both de jure and de facto.
Zhu further stated that the Taiwan question stems from China's past challenges but will be resolved as China moves towards national rejuvenation. Addressing a press briefing, she accused Lai and his allies of avoiding discussions about Taiwan's return and distorting the history of the Chinese civil war, thereby inciting cross-Straits confrontation and seeking \"independence.\"
The spokesperson concluded by asserting that the history of Taiwan's return to China is undeniable and that the reunification of the two sides is inevitable. She called on Taiwan residents to oppose secession and foreign interference, advocating for peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and the pursuit of peaceful reunification.
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Mainland rebukes DPP for silence on Taiwan's restoration anniversary
cgtn.com