China honors first Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration

A grand gathering marking the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China was held in Beijing on Saturday, the first Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration, bringing together guests from across the Taiwan Strait.

Wang Huning, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, called on compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait to work together to advance national reunification and to leave no room for "Taiwan independence" separatist activities in any form.

The inaugural event followed the establishment of the commemoration day by China's national legislature, the Standing Committee of the 14th National People's Congress, in Beijing on Friday. The gathering had around 500 attendees, including compatriots from Taiwan.

After the ceremony to accept Japan's surrender in the Taiwan province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in Taipei on Oct 25, 1945, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands were restored to China's sovereign jurisdiction.

The victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and Taiwan's restoration to China represented a great triumph and a shared glory of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation, Wang said.

Wang stressed that the establishment of the commemoration day demonstrates the unwavering commitment of all Chinese people to uphold the one-China principle and safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The decision also reflects the Communist Party of China's steadfast resolve to fulfill its mission and achieve complete reunification of the motherland, according to Wang.

While speaking on the importance of adhering to the principle of peaceful reunification, "one country, two systems", upholding the one-China principle, and the 1992 Consensus, Wang called on people on both sides of the Strait to preserve the major achievements of victory in the war of resistance, deepen cross-Strait exchanges and integration, safeguard the overall interests of the Chinese nation, and work together for national rejuvenation.

Also on Saturday, the Taiwan Work Office of the CPC Central Committee and the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council hosted a reception in Beijing. The event was attended by guests from both Taiwan and the mainland who had participated in the commemorative gathering earlier that day.

Song Tao, head of both offices, said in his address that establishing the commemoration day on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration fully reflects the will of the people and the resolve of the nation.

He described the move as an important step to remember history and honor the martyrs, as well as a powerful action to uphold the one-China principle and oppose "Taiwan independence" separatism and external interference.

"We are confident in advancing the great cause of national reunification and enhancing the well-being and interests of our Taiwan compatriots," Song said.

Chi Hsing, publisher of The Observer, a magazine in Taiwan, said the decision reflects the shared aspirations of the vast majority of Taiwan compatriots.

"It will awaken the collective memory of people on both sides of the Strait, inspire Taiwan compatriots to remember history, carry forward the patriotic tradition, recognize the fact that both sides of the Strait belong to one China, and take pride in being Chinese," she said.