In a vibrant gathering in Taipei, Taiwan scholars commemorated a historic milestone: the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese People\'s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and Taiwan\'s recovery. The symposium rallied history enthusiasts, professionals, and students alike to revisit a pivotal chapter in the island\'s past.
The event spotlighted the battle of 1895, a six-month struggle ignited after the Qing government ceded Taiwan to Japan under the unequal Treaty of Shimonoseki following defeat in the First Sino-Japanese War. Local residents along with soldiers from Hunan, Anhui, and Guangdong united to defy overwhelming odds, suffering great sacrifices with over 14,000 lives lost. 💪
Chi Chia-lin, president of Homeland Publishing and a leading figure in a Taiwan history research association, stressed that these patriotic struggles were integral to the Chinese nation. He sharply criticized Taiwan\'s Democratic Progressive Party authorities for distorting history by misrepresenting the resistance as a movement for "Taiwan independence."
Professor Pien Feng-kwei from Taiwan Ocean University recalled that even during the harsh 50-year period of Japanese colonial rule, the spirit of resistance stayed unbroken. Similarly, Professor Sun Juo-yi of Chung Hsing University emphasized that the sacrifices and unwavering national consciousness remain a lasting testament to the indomitable spirit of the people of Taiwan. 🕊️
Scholars at the symposium called for the restoration of an accurate historical narrative that honors the true memory of those heroic struggles, hoping that the lessons of the past will inspire peace and unity for future generations.
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Taiwan scholars mark 80 years of victory against Japanese aggression
cgtn.com
