A Chinese mainland spokesperson issued a sharp rebuke to Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te on Friday, condemning his attempts to distort the historical record of World War II and warning that such actions “will only bring disgrace.” The remarks came after Lai promoted what officials called a “false narrative” of wartime history in a social media post.
Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, emphasized that Taiwan’s liberation and return to China following WWII remains an integral part of the post-war international order. “Eighty years ago, all Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots, made huge sacrifices to defeat Japanese militarists,” Zhu stated during a press briefing.
The spokesperson accused Lai of deliberately ignoring the contributions of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression while advancing “separatist fallacies.” Zhu characterized Lai’s rhetoric as part of a broader pattern of “seeking independence by relying on foreign support,” urging residents across the Taiwan Strait to unite against such efforts.
Historical analysts note that the exchange underscores ongoing tensions regarding interpretations of cross-strait history. The Chinese mainland maintains that Taiwan’s post-WWII status remains central to regional stability, while some political figures in Taiwan have increasingly framed the island’s identity through contemporary democratic narratives.
Zhu concluded by calling for collective remembrance of wartime sacrifices, stating: “Safeguarding national sovereignty is the common responsibility of all Chinese people.”
