Zhu Fenglian Photo: Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council

The State Council Taiwan Affairs Office spokesperson Zhu Fenglian on Wednesday confirmed that the mainland is inviting people from various sectors, including Taiwan compatriots, to attend commemorative events marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War in Beijing. 

Analysts from the mainland and Taiwan believe that inviting Taiwan compatriots to join the V-Day commemorative events in Beijing reflects the mainland's deep respect for their historical contributions during the war. The participation also plays a crucial role in fostering a correct understanding of history among Taiwan people, particularly at a time when the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities are attempting to distort the authentic narrative of the War of Resistance and glorify Japanese colonial rule.

Noting that 2025 also marks the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's recovery from Japanese occupation in 1945, Zhu stressed that the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression was a magnificent epic written by the entire nation. All Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots, made tremendous sacrifices and significant contributions to this cause.

Zhu expressed the hope that compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits will remember history, honor the martyrs, uphold the great spirit of patriotism and the War of Resistance, draw wisdom and strength from history to move forward and work together to advance the just cause of national reunification and jointly create a bright future for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

In sharp contrast to the mainland's open and upright stance, the DPP authorities have obstructed people's participation in commemorative events. According to Taiwan-based media on August 14, the island's mainland affairs authority has announced that it will ban "public officials" from attending the V-Day military parade on September 3 and other commemorative events in Beijing. The authority claimed that some applications have been rejected. 

In response, Zhu slammed the island authorities for deliberately distorting the history of the War of Resistance, threatening, intimidating and obstructing Taiwan compatriots from participating in commemorative activities. She said the despicable actions of betraying history and the nation are contemptible.

Zhu also blasted the DPP authorities' slander and denial of the Communist Party of China's (CPC) pivotal role in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. "This fully exposes their sinister ambition to distort historical facts, incite cross-Straits confrontation and pursue Taiwan secession by any means," Zhu said.

Zhu also noted that during the War of Resistance, the CPC explicitly advocated the recovery of Taiwan, guiding and assisting Taiwan compatriots in forming anti-Japanese armed forces such as the Taiwan volunteer corps, and supporting the Taiwan recovery movement.

Zheng Jian, a professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, said the victory of Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, which includes Taiwan's return to the motherland from Japanese colonial rule, represents a shared historical memory of the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits in their collective fight against aggression.

In the face of DPP's efforts to distort or even erase the authentic history of the War of Resistance while glorifying colonial rule, inviting Taiwan compatriots to attend commemorative events on the mainland holds significant importance in setting the historical record straight and combating historical nihilism, Zheng told the Global Times on Wednesday. 

"To some extent, the upcoming events on the mainland also serve as a reminder to the vast majority of Taiwan compatriots that Taiwan's future has no prospect in the hands of foreigners, hegemonists or colonizers, as history has demonstrated," Zheng emphasized. "Only by taking control of their destiny as Chinese people and working with mainland compatriots to pursue mutual development can Taiwan follow the right path."

Wang Yu-ching, a Taiwan cross-Straits observer who lives on the Chinese mainland, has been invited to attend commemorative activities in Beijing during the CPC's 100th anniversary in 2021. Having lived on the mainland for over a decade, he was deeply impressed not only by its rapid development but also by its efforts to promote cross-Straits exchanges and integrated development.

The mainland inviting Taiwan compatriots to participate in the upcoming commemorative events demonstrates its open attitude toward Taiwan people, underscores emphasis on the history of the War of Resistance and demonstrates respect for the contributions of Taiwan compatriots to that history.

"This also serves as a reminder that, regardless of circumstances, compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits form a shared community of destiny," said Wang. "The concept of 'one family across the Straits' is embodied in historical events and also remains relevant today."

He stated that the vast majority of Taiwan compatriots wish to maintain exchanges with the mainland, and the obstacles imposed by the DPP authorities on cross-Straits interactions is unlikely to garner favor for the party but will instead backfire.