Taiwan and China are clashing over the legacy of World War II, with both sides claiming credit for defeating Japan. The disagreement has sharpened ahead of Beijing’s upcoming military parade to mark the war’s 80th anniversary.
In Taipei, 99-year-old veteran Pan Cheng-fa recalled his role in fighting the Japanese under the Republic of China’s army. “We gave them weapons, equipment – we strengthened them,” he said, referring to communist forces who were allies at the time but later turned against his government.
Pan added, “After Japan was taken down, (the communists’) next target was the Republic of China,” pointing to the civil war that ended with the communists taking control of mainland China in 1949.
Credit Belongs to Republic of China
Taiwan insists that its former government, the Republic of China, led the war effort against Japan. Officials say the communists are rewriting history by claiming the main role.
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“During the Republic of China’s war of resistance against Japan, the People’s Republic of China did not even exist,” Taiwan’s top China-policy maker Chiu Chui-cheng said on August 15. He accused Beijing of “distorting the facts.”
The Mainland Affairs Council said Mao Zedong’s communist forces focused more on strengthening themselves than on fighting Japan.
Taiwan Marks the Anniversary Differently
Taiwan’s events to mark the surrender anniversary are much smaller than Beijing’s. A defence ministry concert in Taipei featured images of the Flying Tigers, U.S. pilots who helped the Chinese, and music from local hip-hop group Nine One One.
The ministry said in its programme, “History affirms that the War of Resistance was led and won by the Republic of China.”
China Pushes Back
Beijing rejects Taiwan’s version of history. The Communist Party’s official People’s Daily said this week that vigilance is needed against efforts to “distort and falsify” the Party’s role.
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China says the war victory belongs to all Chinese people, including those in Taiwan. It also points to Taiwan being “returned” to Chinese rule after Japan’s surrender in 1945.
Taiwan, however, argues that no peace agreements ever handed the island to the People’s Republic of China, which was founded only in 1949.
Political Tensions Add to Historical Dispute
Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te marked the August 15 anniversary with a message that “aggression will be defeated,” seen as a warning to Beijing. Taiwan has also urged its citizens not to attend China’s parade, saying it could be used to support Beijing’s territorial claims.
For veterans like Pan Cheng-fa, Beijing’s parade carries no meaning. “I can’t say anything good about the communists,” he said, recalling how his family left in mainland China suffered after the civil war.
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