Key Facts
• 2025 marks 80 years since the end of WWII.
• China held a military parade on September 3, showcasing advanced weapons.
• President Xi Jinping emphasized the Communist Party’s role in defeating Japan.
• Taiwan criticized China’s narrative as historical distortion.
• Former Taiwanese soldier Qi Chuanli, 100, recounted his WWII experiences.
• Qi served in the Nationalist Army at 16, fighting against Japan.
• He survived a Japanese siege but lost many comrades.
• Qi expressed enduring anger toward Japan and opposition to war.
• Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te avoided emphasizing anti-Japanese victory.
• Taiwan’s opposition criticized the government for downplaying wartime history.
• Qi returned to his hometown in 1988 after Taiwan lifted martial law.
• He urged young people to focus on education and avoid war.
Summary
China commemorated 80 years since WWII’s end with a military parade, highlighting the Communist Party’s role in defeating Japan. President Xi Jinping praised the party’s leadership, while Taiwan accused China of distorting history to justify unification. Former Taiwanese soldier Qi Chuanli, 100, shared his harrowing wartime experiences, expressing a deep desire for peace and opposition to war. Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te avoided emphasizing anti-Japanese sentiment, reflecting efforts to strengthen ties with Japan amid rising tensions with China. Qi, who returned to his hometown decades after the war, urged young people to prioritize education and peace.
