Legal Daily:

In recent years, the Democratic Progressive Party authorities have advocated a "Taiwan independence" narrative, pursued "de-Sinicization" policies, deliberately distorted history, and even whitewashed and glorified Japanese colonial rule, attempting to break the historical and spiritual ties connecting both sides of the Strait. History must not be distorted, nor can we allow the erasure of the historical contributions made by compatriots across the Taiwan Strait in resisting foreign aggression. Vice Chairman Jiang Liping of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, could you describe how Taiwan and mainland compatriots courageously fought side by side against Japanese invaders and resisted Japanese colonial rule? What contributions did the predecessors of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League make during the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression? Thank you.

Jiang Liping:

Thanks for your questions. During the 50 years of Japanese colonial rule over Taiwan, Taiwan compatriots, with their glorious tradition of patriotism, fought courageously alongside their mainland counterparts against Japanese invaders. More than 650,000 Taiwan compatriots sacrificed their lives, making indelible contributions to safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity. There are many such examples. Let me tell you the story of Qiu Fengjia. Qiu was from Miaoli county, Taiwan province, and traced his ancestry to Jiaoling county, Guangdong province. After the outbreak of the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, Qiu set aside his scholarly pursuits to take up arms and organized a volunteer army. When word of Taiwan being ceded reached the island, Qiu was overcome with grief and indignation. He publicly pricked his finger in public and wrote in blood the four bold characters "Resist the Japanese and Defend our Land." He also submitted three blood-written petitions, urging the Qing government to nullify the treaty and continue the fight. He led the Taiwan volunteer army in fierce battles with the Japanese army in the rugged mountains of central Taiwan, successfully thwarting the Japanese invaders' reckless plan to rapidly advance southward.

During the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, many Taiwan compatriots bravely joined the national anti-Japanese struggle to save the nation. Among them, Xie Xuehong, the first chairman of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, participated in the founding of the Taiwan Communist Party. Under the guidance of the CPC, the newly established Taiwan Communist Party overcame numerous difficulties in leading Taiwan workers and farmers in active anti-Japanese struggles. Another example is Cai Xiao, chairman of the second Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League headquarters council, who, in 1934, driven by hatred of Japanese imperialist oppression, traveled to the Chinese mainland to join anti-Japanese forces. On the smoke-filled battlefields of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, Cai joined the CPC and the New Fourth Army, fighting stubbornly against the Japanese invaders and earning numerous military successes during the war. Lin Zhengheng, a senior member of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League, abandoned his beloved art major to apply for the Central Military Academy in Nanjing. After graduation, he left his wife and children to go to the front lines, participating successively in the Battle of Kunlun Pass and the Chinese Expeditionary Force's campaign in Myanmar. After the nationwide War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression broke out, "To Yan'an!" became the most resounding rallying cry. Inspired by the CPC-led Chinese united front against Japanese aggression, senior members of the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League came to the revolutionary holy land of Yan'an. There, they worked in unity with their mainland compatriots, fighting side by side until achieving victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and Taiwan's liberation. They wrote a glorious chapter of Chinese sons and daughters facing a national crisis together and jointly resisting foreign aggression.

At a new historical juncture, the Taiwan Democratic Self-Government League will unwaveringly uphold the leadership of the CPC and consolidate its spirit with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We will promote the great spirit of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, continue our fine traditions, and draw strength for progress. By uniting the vast number of Taiwan compatriots, we will make new contributions to comprehensively advancing the construction of a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation through a Chinese path to modernization.

Thank you.