BEIJING – The Chinese mainland has rebuked Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities, led by Lai Ching-te, for downplaying and denying the historical significance of Taiwan's return to China from the Japanese occupation in 1945.
Responding to a media inquiry, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, made the remarks on Friday, which marked the 79th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration.
Instead of commemorating the historic event, the DPP authorities led by Lai chose to whitewash Taiwan's colonial past under Dutch and Japanese rules, Zhu said.
READ MORE: Lai's speech reveals deceptive nature
Such actions are a flagrant denial of the outcomes of the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, and a grave dishonor to the sacrifices of Chinese compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, she said.
In July 1894, Japan launched a war of aggression against China. In the following year, the defeated Qing government was forced to cede Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to Japan.
On Dec 1, 1943, China, the United States and the United Kingdom issued the Cairo Declaration, stating that it was the purpose of the three allies that all the territories Japan had stolen from China, such as Northeast China, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, should be restored to China.
On July 26, 1945, the Potsdam Proclamation was signed by China, the US and the UK, and was subsequently recognized by the Soviet Union. It reiterated: "The terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out."
READ MORE: Mainland slams Taiwan's ‘economic coercion’ claim
On Oct 25, 1945, the Chinese government announced that it was resuming the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan. From that point forward, China had recovered Taiwan de jure and de facto through a host of documents with international legal effect, Zhu said on Friday.
The Taiwan question arose out of China's past weakness and turmoil but will ultimately be resolved as China realizes national rejuvenation, she added.
