As Beijing prepares to mark the 80th anniversary of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, tensions rise across the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese mainland has invited Taiwan compatriots to join commemorations honoring WWII history—but the island’s leadership is scrambling to stop them. Why? Let’s unpack the drama. 🕵️♂️
A Clash Over History
While the mainland emphasizes unity in remembering Japan’s wartime aggression, Taiwan’s Lai administration has avoided terms like "Japanese invasion" and even replaced "victory" with vague phrases like "end of the war." Critics accuse Lai of whitewashing history to push a separatist agenda. 🚩
The 'Three Fears' Behind the Blockade
Local media and experts say Lai’s crackdown on participation stems from three fears:
Fear of Truth: Lai’s "Taiwan independence" narrative clashes with historical facts—like Taiwan’s return to China after WWII. Acknowledging this undermines his claims.
Fear of Unity: Cross-strait solidarity during commemorations weakens his divisive politics.
Fear of Exposure: Mainland events highlight Taiwan’s role in the anti-fascist victory, contradicting Lai’s "mutual non-subordination" rhetoric.
Backlash on the Island
From threatening retired Kuomintang veterans’ pensions to silencing artists, Lai’s tactics have sparked outrage. Former Kuomintang leader Ma Ying-jeou slammed the moves, stressing: "Taiwan must never forget Japan’s brutal invasion—erasing history betrays our ancestors." 📜
As the China Times editorial put it: "Taiwan’s identity is clear—it has always been part of China." With polls showing growing public disapproval, Lai’s historical revisionism may be backfiring. 💥
