A set of floral installation is pictured at Dongdan area in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 26, 2025. Ten sets of floral installations along Chang'an Avenue marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War have been completed. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

Several figures from island of Taiwan, including Yuan Juzheng from National Taiwan University and Tsai Wang Chia, Chief Operating Officer, executive Director of Want Want China Holdings, arrived in Beijing on Sunday for attending the commemorations for the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, media reported.

Their attendance came despite the Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP)'s obstruction, which cautioned against people in Taiwan participating in relevant activities.

Tsai posted on his Sina Weibo account on Sunday that he was leaving to attend the commemorations in Beijing, and asked the public to recommend any delicious food in the capital. His first stop in Beijing was Tian'anmen Square, according to the Beijing Radio and Television Station. 

Yuan also arrived in Beijing on Sunday. He told reporters at the airport that he was pleased to have the opportunity to attend the commemorations, saying that "the more some people say they don't dare to come, the more determined we are to come," according to Taihainet.com. 

On August 19, reporters from CTinews of island of Taiwan also arrived for covering the commemorations. At Taiwan's Taoyuan Airport, the reporter interviewed a Taiwan family who was also departing to Beijing to witness the commemorations.

During the interview, father of the family encouraged everyone to visit the Chinese mainland in person, saying that "don't just listen to what others say. You have to actually go and see for yourself to know whether the mainland is good or not. Words alone are unreliable — your own firsthand experience is the most accurate."

Taiwan compatriots will be invited to observe the upcoming massive V-Day military parade in Beijing's Tian'anmen Square, Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said at a press conference on Wednesday, noting that this year not only marks the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, but also marks the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's recovery from Japan's occupation.

She called on people on both sides of the Strait to remember history, honor the martyrs, promote the great spirit of patriotism, and jointly advance the cause of national reunification, creating a bright future for national rejuvenation.

During the press conference, a reporter also mentioned that Taiwan's mainland affairs body has banned public officials from traveling to the mainland to attend the September 3 military parade and other commemorative events. It has also cautioned against people in Taiwan participating in relevant activities, warning that any acts of "cooperation" with the mainland would be subject to legal penalties. Some public officials have already applied to visit the mainland for such events, it said, but their applications have been rejected.

In response, Zhu said that victory in the war and Taiwan's return to China are worth remembering by compatriots on both sides of the Straits. "Compatriots from Taiwan should not and cannot be absent from these commemorations," she said.

Zhu noted that the DPP authorities are deliberately distorting the history of the war and using threats, intimidation and other measures to prevent Taiwan compatriots' participation in relevant events, and said that these acts of betrayal -- of history and the nation -- are "disgraceful."

Against the backdrop of the DPP authorities' repeated intimidation and pressure on people in Taiwan not to attend the commemorations, some Taiwanese still chose to come to Beijing, which shows that the DPP's attempt to distort history and mount a slander campaign has failed to deceive the public, Zheng Jian, a professor at the Taiwan Research Institute of Xiamen University, told the Global Times. 

Zheng said that attending the commemorations not only helps Taiwan compatriots uphold a correct historical perspective of WWII, but also exposes the lies of "Taiwan independence" forces and prompts deeper reflection among the people of Taiwan on their future and the island's destiny.