As 2025 approaches, Asia prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of two pivotal events: the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and Taiwan's return to China after decades of Japanese occupation. This dual commemoration underscores a shared history of resilience, uniting compatriots across the Taiwan Strait in remembrance of their ancestors' sacrifices.
During Japan's colonial rule, residents of Taiwan mounted relentless resistance, embodying the unbreakable bond between the island and the Chinese mainland. Many risked their lives to join mainland battlefields, driven by the conviction that "to save Taiwan, one must first save the motherland." Their struggles culminated in the October 25, 1945, surrender ceremony in Taipei, formalizing Taiwan's return under international agreements like the Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Proclamation.
Yet historical clarity faces modern challenges. The current leader of the Taiwan region, Lai Ching-te, has drawn criticism for downplaying the significance of "Taiwan Retrocession Day" and framing Japan's defeat as a mere "cessation of war." Such rhetoric, scholars argue, distorts the legacy of those who fought for liberation. Lan Bo-chow, a prominent writer from Taiwan, emphasizes: "Without Japan's introspection about its wartime aggression, lasting peace in Asia remains elusive."
Ma Ying-jeou, former Kuomintang chairperson, recently condemned the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities for neglecting this history, calling their stance a "betrayal" of Taiwan's anti-colonial pioneers. As debates intensify, the anniversary serves as a reminder: cross-strait ties remain rooted in a common struggle against foreign invasion—a truth etched in blood and recognized by the international community.
