Chen Binhua, spokesperson of the Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council Photo: CFP

A spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office on Wednesday slammed Taiwan's regional leader Lai Ching-te for distorting World War II history in his recent remarks and attempting to equate the just history of anti-fascism and anti-aggression in World War II with the evil deeds of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in seeking to split the country. 

Chen Binhua, the spokesperson, made the remarks at a press conference when asked to comment on a recent event held by DPP authorities marking the so-called "80th Anniversary of Victory in Europe" and Lai's remarks at the event. Public opinion on the island has pointed out that the event was aimed to serve the "Taiwan independence historical view," and in his remarks, Lai deliberately emphasized "Victory in Europe," ignored the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, distorted World War II history, and refused to learn the lesson.     

In response, Chen said that as the main battlefield in Asia during World War II, China made a huge national sacrifice of 35 million military and civilian casualties, and achieved victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Taiwan's return to China is an important part of the victory of World War II and the post-war international order, he stressed.

The spokesperson denounced Lai for confusing the people in Taiwan and misleading international public opinion with his false narratives, and secretly promoting his "Taiwan independence" proposition. 

Also at the press conference on Wednesday, Chen was asked to comment on Lai's recent claim that the relationship between the Taiwan region and Japan is not merely that of friends, but rather like that of family - which has drawn criticism on the island for his selective amnesia regarding the painful history of atrocities committed against Taiwan residents during the Japanese colonial period. In response, Chen said that Lai's betrayal of the nation is truly shameful.

This year marks the 130th anniversary of Japan's invasion of Taiwan and the 80th anniversary of China's victory against Japanese invaders that brought Taiwan back into its territory. Eighty years ago, all Chinese people, including our compatriots in the island of Taiwan, united with unwavering resolve and made tremendous sacrifices to defeat the brutal Japanese militarism and defend national sovereignty and dignity with their blood and lives, writing a glorious chapter in the great victory against Japanese aggression, Chen noted.

Zhu Songling, director and professor at the Institute of Political Science of Beijing Union University, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the DPP authorities' move is an attempt to insert "Taiwan independence" rhetoric into World War II discourse, align with Western blocs, and build an "ideological front" against the mainland.

However, such attempts have backfired on the DPP itself, as Lai's remarks have been interpreted as part of a broader pattern of "historical amnesia," and his actions are viewed as both politically opportunistic and deeply disrespectful to the shared heritage of the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Straits, Zhu said. 

No matter how Lai distorts history, he cannot change the fact that Taiwan is a part of China, nor can he change the historical trend of the inevitable reunification of the motherland, Chen said.