Historians on both sides of Taiwan Strait urge defense of historical truth of Taiwan's restoration

BEIJING -- Historians from both sides of the Taiwan Strait have called for the correct perspective on history to be upheld, and for the historical truth of Taiwan's restoration to be defended, at an international academic symposium held in Beijing on Sunday and Monday.

The symposium was hosted by Peking University and attended by nearly 100 experts and scholars from the Chinese mainland, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macao, as well as countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom and Japan. It examined the history of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and Taiwan's restoration to China from a global perspective.

Taiwan was occupied by Japan after Tokyo waged war against China in 1894. The occupation lasted for half a century. On Oct 25, 1945, a ceremony to accept Japan's surrender in the Taiwan province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in Taipei. From that point on, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands were once again under China's sovereign jurisdiction.

Historians at the symposium agreed that Taiwan people's resistance of Japanese aggression from 1895 to 1945 was an inseparable and glorious chapter of the Chinese nation's War of Resistance, and that Taiwan's fate has always been tied to the motherland, with deep connections between the people on both sides.

Chen Hongmin, a professor at Zhejiang University's School of History, said that Taiwan people's resistance movements against Japanese invaders began earlier and lasted longer than resistance movements in the rest part of China, and it featured distinct patriotism, significant sacrifices and widespread participation.

"Studying the 50-year history of Taiwan's anti-Japanese movement within the framework of the Chinese nation's War of Resistance is of great significance. Taiwan's restoration to China was achieved through the joint efforts of all Chinese people, including those in Taiwan," he said.

In a keynote speech, Liu Wei-kai, a professor in the Department of History at Taiwan's Chengchi University, said there are ample historical evidence and facts on Taiwan's restoration, which should be restored rigorously to help more people understand its process and significance -- especially through education and the publication of historical materials -- so that younger generations can grasp the truth of history.

Citing historical and legal facts -- including the Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 -- Wang Yingjin, director of the cross-Strait relations research center of the Renmin University of China, stressed that Taiwan's restoration to China is a topic that concerns not only historical justice but also the legitimacy and stability of the post-WWII international order.

"The fruits of victory and peace were hard-earned and require the joint defense of the international community. Firmly upholding the one-China principle is the historical responsibility of the Chinese nation itself, and is also China's solemn commitment to global stability and lasting peace," he said.

Historians at the symposium stressed that the two sides of the Strait have a common bloodline and shared memory, and should draw wisdom and strength from history to uphold the nation's greater good and promote national reunification.

The prevailing WWII historical narrative in the international community, which is dominated by the United States and other Western countries, involves multiple cognitive biases, and separatists in Taiwan are colluding with external forces to fabricate false narratives in pursuit of "Taiwan independence," said Wu Yongping, head of Tsinghua University's Institute of Taiwan Studies. Wu called on the academic community to refute those false narratives and defend the truth of history.

"The 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration should be an opportunity to promote the correct perspective on history in line with the national reunification process. This not only pays respect to history but also demonstrates a responsibility to the future," he said.

Chi Chia-lin, chief of the Research Association on Taiwan History, called on the academic sector in Taiwan to map the correct narrative of the island's history and awaken its true memory, and expressed appreciation for the mainland's designation of Oct 25 as Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration.

"Reunification is an inevitability. Eighty years have passed since Taiwan's restoration, and Chinese people on both sides should work together to strive for national reunification," he said.