This Tuesday, around 100 representatives from both sides of the Taiwan Strait gathered in Beijing 🎉 to mark the 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s restoration to the Chinese mainland. The event was organized by the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, Beijing Taiwan Compatriots Association, China Daily, and the Association for Relatives of Patriots in Taiwan.
Zheng Ping, president of the All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, reminded everyone that Taiwan’s return was a key outcome of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. He pointed out that landmark documents like the 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Proclamation had already affirmed China’s sovereignty over Taiwan, while five decades of resistance by residents of Taiwan under Japanese rule proved their Chinese identity. 📜
Flashback time! In 1895, after a defeat to Japan, the Qing government ceded Taiwan and Penghu Islands. Fast forward fifty years of struggle, and victory in World War II set the stage for Taiwan’s restoration to the Chinese mainland. 🕰️
Lin Ming-cong, a descendant of the patriotic Lin family from Wufeng in Taiwan and head of the Association for Relatives of Patriots in Taiwan, shared a heartfelt video message. He highlighted how hundreds of residents of Taiwan joined resistance movements and made sacrifices that paved the way for this historic reunion.
Young voices also took the mic. Lu Ying-chu, a Minzu University of China student, recalled her great-grandfather’s unwavering love for Chinese traditions—he wore traditional clothing and preserved ancestral records even under colonial rule. “He saw our roots as the soul of our family,” she said.
Lin Ching-mao, originally from Changhua in Taiwan and now at Peking University, added that commemorating Taiwan’s restoration isn’t just about history—it’s about keeping young people connected to their shared past and pushing back against secessionist ideas like “Taiwan independence.” 💬
By blending personal stories, legal milestones, and youthful perspectives, this event in Beijing offered a fresh look at why the memory of Taiwan’s restoration still resonates today. It was more than a ceremony—it was a bridge between generations and a reminder of a shared heritage. 🌉
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
