In a significant gathering of historians from across the Taiwan Strait, the call to uphold the historical truth of Taiwan’s restoration was emphasized during an international academic symposium held in Beijing. The event, hosted by Peking University, brought together nearly 100 experts and scholars from the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macao, and countries like the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan. The symposium focused on the history of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the restoration of Taiwan to China.
Taiwan was occupied by Japan following the Sino-Japanese War of 1894, a period that lasted for half a century. The restoration of Taiwan to Chinese sovereignty was marked by a ceremony on October 25, 1945, in Taipei, where Japan’s surrender in the Taiwan province was accepted. This event signified the return of Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to China’s jurisdiction.
Historians at the symposium highlighted that the resistance of the Taiwanese people against Japanese aggression from 1895 to 1945 was an integral part of the Chinese nation’s War of Resistance. They stressed that Taiwan’s fate has always been intertwined with that of the motherland, with deep connections between the people on both sides.
Chen Hongmin, a professor at Zhejiang University’s School of History, noted that the Taiwanese resistance movements against Japanese invaders began earlier and lasted longer than those in other parts of China, characterized by distinct patriotism, significant sacrifices, and widespread participation. He emphasized the importance of studying Taiwan’s anti-Japanese movement within the framework of the Chinese nation’s War of Resistance, as it was achieved through the joint efforts of all Chinese people, including those in Taiwan.
Liu Wei-kai, a professor at Taiwan’s Chengchi University, underscored the need to rigorously restore the historical evidence and facts of Taiwan’s restoration. He advocated for educational initiatives and the publication of historical materials to help younger generations understand the process and significance of Taiwan’s restoration.
Wang Yingjin, director of the cross-Strait relations research center at Renmin University of China, cited historical and legal documents such as the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 to stress that Taiwan’s restoration to China is not only a matter of historical justice but also concerns the legitimacy and stability of the post-WWII international order. He called for the international community to jointly defend the hard-earned fruits of victory and peace, emphasizing the one-China principle as a historical responsibility and a commitment to global stability.
The historians at the symposium emphasized the common bloodline and shared memory of the people on both sides of the Strait. They urged drawing wisdom and strength from history to uphold the nation’s greater good and promote national reunification. Wu Yongping, head of Tsinghua University’s Institute of Taiwan Studies, criticized the prevailing WWII historical narrative dominated by the United States and other Western countries for its cognitive biases. He called on the academic community to refute false narratives propagated by separatists in Taiwan and external forces pursuing ‘Taiwan independence.’
Chi Chia-lin, chief of the Research Association on Taiwan History, expressed appreciation for the mainland’s designation of October 25 as Commemoration Day of Taiwan’s Restoration. He called on the academic sector in Taiwan to map the correct narrative of the island’s history and awaken its true memory, stating that reunification is an inevitability and urging Chinese people on both sides to work together for national reunification.