Taipei:President Lai Ching-te emphasized the importance of preserving the historical facts of World War II during his National Day address, highlighting concerns over Beijing's attempts to reshape the postwar international order.
According to Focus Taiwan, Lai delivered his address as Taiwan celebrated the 115th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China (ROC). He stressed that distortions of World War II history must not be tolerated and underscored the need for democracies in the Indo-Pacific to unite in maintaining regional peace and stability.
Lai's remarks come in the context of recent discussions between Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump, who recalled U.S.-China cooperation during World War II. During that period, China was governed by the ROC, which fought alongside the United States. The ROC government later relocated to Taiwan after the war, while the People's Republic of China (PRC) was established in 1949.
A senior official cautioned that Beijing's distortion of WWII history poses risks to the international order, warning against attempts to overturn existing rules. Lai's emphasis on history reflects Taiwan's commitment to defending its sovereignty and upholding postwar principles of peace and freedom.
Wang Hung-jen, a political science professor at National Cheng Kung University, noted Beijing's narrative of having fought alongside the U.S. in World War II. Lai's address highlighted the significance of addressing these historical distortions, which could impact Taiwan's sovereign status.
Lai also expressed support for U.S.-China dialogue to reduce risks and called for Beijing to adhere to a rules-based international order. The Presidential Office emphasized that any peaceful arrangement must respect Taiwan's people's right to choose their future.
On cross-strait relations, Lai reiterated the need for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, consistent with his administration's previous stance. Political science professor Lin Tzu-li noted that maintaining the status quo is crucial for cross-strait stability, countering Beijing's claims that Taiwan disrupts the status quo.
In his address, Lai used biblical metaphors, describing Taiwan as "a city upon a hill" and "the light of the world," reflecting Taiwan's aspirations and contributions to the international community. Kuo Yu-jen of the Institute for National Policy Research highlighted the shared values between Taiwan and the U.S., with Lai's use of "city upon a hill" serving as an inspiration to Taiwanese amid China's challenges.
