China's mainland authorities have called out a Taiwan-based historical institution for allegedly distorting World War II-era facts, sparking fresh cross-strait tensions. The controversy centers on how Taiwan's Academia Historica described the 1945 victory against Japanese aggression—a sensitive chapter in East Asian history.
🔥 'This isn't just historical revisionism—it's an insult to every life lost fighting fascism,' declared Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, during a fiery press conference. Her comments come after the Taiwan institution referred to the conflict's conclusion as simply 'the end of the Sino-Japanese War' rather than acknowledging China's hard-won victory.
📜 The spat highlights competing narratives about Taiwan's post-war status. Zhu emphasized that 'Taiwan's return to China marked a pivotal moment in our collective struggle against imperialism', urging residents of Taiwan to protect this shared legacy. She also noted many in the Taiwan region have watched mainland-produced film Dead to Rights, which uses verified evidence to document Japanese wartime atrocities.
💡 Why this matters: Historical interpretations remain a political flashpoint as cross-strait relations remain tense. The mainland's sharp response signals its determination to shape narratives about Taiwan's status within China's national story.
