China is engaged in a psychological battle with Taiwan ahead of the 80th anniversary of the victory on the 3rd of next month. As Taiwan imposes a ban on attendance at the ceremony for public officials and retired generals, China emphasized its 'One China' message by stating that it would invite Taiwan compatriots to the event. China warned Taiwan, which denies its own victory day, saying, "Any attempt to distort history will never succeed."
Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council, responsible for cross-strait relations, reiterated its ban on government employees and senior retired officers from attending the ceremony on the 26th, following a similar prohibition issued on the 14th. Violators will face penalties such as fines, suspension or cancellation of pensions, and confiscation of medals. During the 70th anniversary ceremony in 2015, members of the Kuomintang attended the event, and Lien Chan, the former chairman of the Kuomintang, was the first senior figure from Taiwan to participate. Protests were held in Taiwan, demanding, "Do not return to Taiwan again."
Taiwan is also demanding that Taiwanese entertainers active in China refrain from issuing supportive messages regarding the victory day and the ceremony. Currently, over 20 Taiwanese entertainers are reportedly under investigation by authorities for posting content related to Chinese state media or propaganda messages about the victory day on social media.
Additionally, Taiwan President Lai Ching-te expressed August 15, the day Japan declared its surrender, as 'the end of World War II,' avoiding direct references to 'Japanese invasion' and 'China's victory in the anti-Japanese war,' further igniting the controversy over historical distortion.
China's Victory Day commemorates the victory in the Second Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), but Taiwan asserts that the fighting was carried out by the Republic of China government led by Chiang Kai-shek and the Kuomintang, claiming that Taiwan, as the successor, is the legitimate victor. The People's Republic of China was established in October 1949 under Mao Zedong. Conversely, China maintains that both the Kuomintang and the Communist Party participated in the war, and the victory is regarded as a collective triumph of the Chinese nation. The international community recognized the People's Republic of China's representation in the United Nations after its entry in 1971, ultimately considering China as the 'victor nation.'
In response, China's Taiwan Affairs Office warned on the 27th, stating, "Lai Ching-te has completely lost his national perspective, and he deliberately ignores the historical facts of the Chinese people's anti-Japanese war, distorting World War II history by mixing concepts and arguments." Spokesperson Zhu Fenglian noted, "Any attempt to distort history will never succeed. Acts that challenge the post-war international order will only bring shame upon themselves," adding, "Any plots to create divisions in the homeland are nothing but futile delusions. National unification will definitely be achieved." Zhu also stated that they would invite Taiwan compatriots to the ceremony.
On the same day, the Chinese state-run Global Times published a commentary titled 'How should the Taiwanese people view the 9.3 ceremony?' criticizing, "The Democratic Progressive Party authorities deliberately distort the history of the anti-Japanese war while shouting for 'Taiwan independence', which betrays history and insults the sacrifices and struggles of the entire nation." It further stated, "Lai Ching-te and the 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces are continually increasing the defense budget, most of which is spent on purchasing U.S. weapons, and these divisive attempts only push the Taiwanese people further toward a more dangerous brink, leading Taiwan step by step to destruction."
The commentary added, "However, the mainstream public opinion in Taiwan longs for peace, stability, and development. The messages of peace and justice conveyed by the 9.3 ceremony completely align with the voices of the Taiwanese people, and cross-strait compatriots should join hands to promote the peaceful development of cross-strait relations and open up a beautiful future for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation together."