Taiwan Scholars Celebrate 80 Years of Victory Against Japanese Aggression

A symposium was convened in Taipei on Saturday to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the restoration of Taiwan. Academics and historians at the event underscored the importance of restoring historical truth, particularly as narratives of "Taiwan independence" gain traction under the current Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) administration.

Chi Chia-lin, president of Homeland Publishing and chief of a Taiwan history research association, addressed attendees with a firm message: the struggle against Japanese imperialism in 1895 and subsequent armed resistance efforts were patriotic movements led by the people of Taiwan as part of the broader Chinese nation. Chi expressed concerns about the DPP's portrayal of this era, stating that the authorities have increasingly sought to distort the record by both glorifying aspects of Japanese colonial rule and representing the events of 1895 as precursors or causes of a so-called "Taiwan independence" movement.

He explained that the struggle in 1895 was set in motion when the Qing dynasty ceded Taiwan to Japan under the Treaty of Shimonoseki—a consequence of defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War. In response, local residents and soldiers from Hunan, Anhui, and Guangdong provinces banded together to launch a fierce defense against Japanese occupation. Despite their determination, overwhelming technological disparities led to over 14,000 fatalities during just four and a half months of conflict.

Pien Feng-kwei, professor at Taiwan Ocean University, highlighted that over the subsequent fifty years of Japanese colonial rule, the resolve of the Taiwanese people to resist never wavered. Their resistance manifested in numerous forms and continued across generations. Pien criticized modern "Taiwan independence" advocates for ignoring or distorting this legacy of resistance and anti-colonial struggle.

"Remembering history is meant to help us cherish peace. I hope the Taiwan authorities will face history squarely and draw lessons from it," Pien urged during his remarks, emphasizing the value of historical remembrance for the promotion of peace and understanding.

Professor Sun Juo-yi of Chung Hsing University added that the pronounced sense of national identity forged during these struggles became the foundation upon which Taiwan’s anti-Japanese resistance was built. The sacrifices made by countless heroes serve as an enduring symbol of the indomitable spirit of the Chinese people.

In concluding remarks, Chi Chia-lin once again stressed the urgent need for an accurate and honest historical narrative regarding Taiwan, one that would help the island’s residents reconnect with their true collective memory and foster a more unified understanding of their shared past.