Many people in Taiwan watched the live broadcast of Wednesday's military parade in Beijing through CCTV's new media platforms, despite being banned from attending the commemorative events held on the Chinese mainland.
A grand gathering with a military parade was held on Wednesday morning in Beijing's Tian'anmen Square to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
Before the event, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities had attempted to intimidate and block people on the island from joining the commemoration, threatening to cancel the pensions of retired Kuomintang (KMT) veterans who fought in the war against Japanese aggression, prohibiting public officials from attending, "reminding" the public not to participate, and even taking action against artists from the island "singing along" with the mainland. These actions have sparked public outrage on the island.
Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te has also repeatedly distorted the historical truth of World War II (WWII), propagating the "Taiwan independence" separatist fallacy. In his recent speeches, he blatantly skipped over the historical facts of Taiwan's recovery from Japanese occupation in WWII, and on August 15, he even used the phrase "end of the war" instead of "winning the War of Resistance," which has also drawn criticism.
"For the people in Taiwan, even if we cannot be there in person to join this grand event, we should still feel a shared sense of honor. Lai Ching-te's ideology is actually quite similar to that of the right-wing forces in Japan. It was clearly the victory of the war of resistance, and Taiwan's return to the motherland, also known as its liberation from Japanese colonial rule. But Lai called it 'end of the war.' The anniversary of victory over Japanese aggression surely means the return of Taiwan to its motherland after 50 years of occupation by Japan. These are inherently the common affairs of people across the Taiwan Strait and our collective glory," said Ho Yi-cheng, chief of the Taiwan Youth Federation.
Wu Cherng-dean, chairman of Taiwan's New Party, said in an interview that China's massive V-Day military parade is proof of the nation's growing strength, through which people across the Taiwan Strait can remember history together and join hands for the rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
"Back during the war of resistance, we joined hands to resist foreign invasion. Now, China showcases military strength at the massive military parade. Our nation has risen to its feet, and with both sides across the Taiwan Strait working together, we shall never again be subjected to aggression, nor shall we ever again be bullied by others. This is an indisputable fact. Moreover, the great revival of the Chinese nation through such collaboration will undoubtedly become a radiant and impactful chapter in history," said Wu.
Some media commentators in Taiwan also pointed out that "mainstream public opinion" there yearns for peace, stability and development, and the message of upholding peace and defending justice conveyed by V-Day commemorations is fully aligned with the aspirations of the residents.
V-Day parade draws significant attention in Taiwan despite restrictions
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that mediation efforts of the Pakistani side regarding the Middle East tensions are in the common interests of all parties.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in his talks with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing.
During their talks, the two sides exchanged views on current international issues and regional conflicts.
Wang welcomed the visit of the Pakistani side to Beijing for discussion on easing tensions in the Middle East, just after its holding of a quadrilateral foreign ministers' meeting in Islamabad.
He said China supports and looks forward to Pakistan playing a unique and important role in easing the situation and resuming peace talks. This process is no easy task, and Pakistan's mediation efforts are in line with the common interests of all parties, Wang added.
He noted China is willing to make joint efforts with Pakistan to end the hostilities as soon as possible, create opportunities for peace and open the window for peace talks.
On bilateral ties, Wang said this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, calling on both sides to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and constantly advance the building of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.
For his part, Dar said the Pakistan-China friendship is precious and deeply rooted in people's hearts, adding that Pakistan is willing to work with China to promote the continuous development of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.
Dar thanked China for supporting Pakistan's mediation of the situation in Iran, adding that the current conflict has disrupted international energy supplies and caused heavy damage to developing countries.
Noting that solutions can only be found through negotiation, Dar said Pakistan is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to push all parties to start peace talks as soon as possible and restore regional peace.
The two sides also put forward a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East region:
I. Immediate cessation of hostilities: China and Pakistan call for immediate cessation of hostilities and utmost efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading. Humanitarian assistance must be allowed to all war-affected areas.
II. Start of peace talks as soon as possible. Sovereignty, territorial integrity, national independence and security of Iran and the Gulf states should be safeguarded. Dialogue and diplomacy is the only viable option to resolve conflicts. China and Pakistan support the relevant parties in initiating talks, with all parties committing to peaceful resolution of disputes, and refraining from the use or the threat of use of force during peace talks.
III. Security of nonmilitary targets. The principle of protecting civilians in military conflict should be observed. China and Pakistan call on parties to the conflict to immediately stop attacks on civilians and nonmilitary targets, and fully adhere to International Humanitarian Law, and stop attacking important infrastructure, including energy, desalination and power facilities, and peaceful nuclear infrastructure, such as nuclear power plants.
IV. Security of shipping lanes. The Strait of Hormuz, together with its adjacent waters, is an important global shipping route for goods and energy. China and Pakistan call on the parties to protect the security of ships and crew members stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, allow the early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships, and restore normal passage through the Strait as soon as possible.
V. Primacy of the United Nations Charter. China and Pakistan call for efforts to practice true multilateralism, to jointly strengthen the primacy of the United Nations, and to support the conclusion of an agreement for establishing a comprehensive peace framework and realizing lasting peace based on the purposes and principles of the UN Charter and international law.
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
Pakistan's mediation efforts in common interests of all parties: Chinese FM
