Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged Japan to face up to its history and prevent itself from going down the wrong path on Friday, August 15, the 80th anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, met with the press after the 10th Lancang-Mekong Cooperation Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held in Anning City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. He urged Japan to make the right choice on the 80th anniversary of Japan's unconditional surrender in World War II.
"I would also like to reiterate China's position on this specific day. Eighty years ago, on August 15, Japan was defeated and accepted the Potsdam Proclamation, announcing its unconditional surrender. The aggressive wars launched by Japanese militarists in those years brought profound disasters to the people of China and other Asian countries, and the Japanese people also suffered greatly. The Cairo Declaration, the Potsdam Proclamation, and a series of international documents clearly outlined Japan's war responsibilities and required Japan to return all territories stolen from China, including Taiwan. This is an unchallenged victory outcome of the World Anti-Fascist War and an important part of the post-war international order," said Wang Yi.
"However, up to now, some forces in Japan still attempt to glorify aggression, deny aggression, distort history, alter history, and even seek to reverse the verdicts of the war criminals of that time. Such behavior is disgraceful and self-humiliating. It is a challenge to the UN Charter, the post-war international order, human conscience, and also to the people of all victorious countries. Only by facing history squarely can respect be earned; only by drawing lessons from history can a better future be explored; only by remembering the past can straying onto the wrong path again be avoided. We urge Japan to make the right choice," said the minister.
Chinese FM urges Japan to reflect on history
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
