Written by Lisa Murimi
Taiwan has barred its officials from attending Chinese events commemorating the 80th anniversary of the island’s “retrocession” to Chinese rule, accusing Beijing of manipulating the historic milestone to advance its political agenda.
The anniversary, which falls next Saturday, marks Japan’s 1945 handover of Taiwan to the Republic of China (ROC) after 50 years of colonial rule. Both Beijing and Taipei refer to the handover as “retrocession,” but their interpretations of the event remain deeply divided.
In a statement on Friday, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) said China was using the commemoration to “distort history” and “erase Taiwan’s sovereignty.” Chiu Chui-cheng, the MAC minister, said in a video address that Beijing had repeatedly fabricated “false narratives” to claim Taiwan as part of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
“Beijing seeks to concoct the claim that Taiwan is part of the PRC. The ultimate goal is to eliminate the Republic of China and annex Taiwan,” Chiu said, referring to Taiwan’s formal name, the Republic of China, which has governed the island since 1949.
The government has banned all officials, teachers, and students from participating in any events organized by China related to the anniversary. Chiu urged private citizens to also refrain from attending, stressing that “national interests must come first.”
China, which has yet to announce official plans for the commemoration, views Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to bring the island under its control — by force if necessary. The Taiwan Affairs Office in Beijing did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Earlier this week, a spokesperson for the office said the “retrocession” marked “a great triumph for all Chinese people,” underscoring Beijing’s stance that Taiwan’s return to Chinese rule was an inevitable outcome of World War Two.
Taipei, however, insists that it was the Republic of China — not the PRC — that fought and won the war against Japan. The PRC was only established four years later, in 1949, after the Communist Party defeated the Nationalist government, which then relocated to Taiwan.
As Beijing prepares for its commemorative events, Taipei will host East Asia’s largest Pride march next Saturday — a symbol of the island’s democratic identity and growing social freedoms that stand in stark contrast to China’s authoritarian rule.
