China Focus: Events held across China to mark Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration

BEIJING, Oct. 29 (Xinhua) -- Various events have been held to mark the restoration of Taiwan to China in 1945 since the country designated Oct. 25 as the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration.

On the very day 80 years ago, a historic ceremony to accept Japan's surrender in the Taiwan Province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in the city of Taipei. From then on, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands returned to China's sovereign jurisdiction.

On Oct. 25, a high-level meeting commemorating the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China was held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, which was joined by representatives of Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macao compatriots as well as overseas Chinese.

The commemorative meeting was held one day after the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress designated Oct. 25 as the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration.

"As a Chinese born and raised in Taiwan, I feel deeply moved to attend the commemorative meeting," said Wu Jung-yuan, chairman of the Taiwan-based Labor Party, while delivering his remarks at the meeting.

Wu called for joint efforts to achieve the mission of reunification across the Taiwan Strait on the remarkable journey toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

On the same day, an exhibition showcasing the Taiwan people's resistance efforts against Japanese aggression opened at the Museum of the War of the Chinese People's Resistance against Japanese Aggression in Beijing.

Featuring 387 old photographs and 453 historic items, the exhibition is reminiscent of Taiwan compatriots' endeavor to preserve national integrity during their arduous fights against Japanese aggressors.

The launch of the exhibition on the first state-designated Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration is to remember history and pay tribute to fallen heroes, said Li Zhidong, deputy curator of the museum. "Compatriots on both sides of the Strait share a close bond and will jointly create a brighter future."

Other regions across the mainland also held a variety of events to mark the special day.

At the Shanghai History Museum, an exhibition was held to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China, featuring historical materials highlighting the resistance of Taiwan compatriots against Japanese occupation.

In Shantou, south China's Guangdong Province, Taiwan compatriots paid visits to a local memorial hall for the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, drawing inspiration from wartime relics and stories of resistance by overseas Chinese.

In Yong'an, east China's Fujian Province, 80 runners from both sides of the Taiwan Strait gathered to form the number "80" and sang "Descendants of the Dragon" in unison, mirroring a simultaneous event in Taiwan's Yilan.

Chiu Ching-ling was among the mainland-based Taiwan compatriots who paid tribute on the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration. He traveled from Shanghai to Huai'an in Jiangsu Province to visit a memorial park dedicated to a heroic company of the New Fourth Army, an anti-Japanese force led by the Communist Party of China.

Chiu noted that since the Democratic Progressive Party came to power, content related to Taiwan's restoration has been downplayed. He said the establishment of the commemoration day can help more young people in Taiwan remember and promote the shared history of resistance across the Strait, while further strengthening Taiwan compatriots' sense of identity and patriotic enthusiasm.

In Taipei, on the morning of Oct. 25, Taiwan's Reunification Alliance Party, Labor Party and other organizations kicked off an event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China. In the afternoon, another commemoration event was held at the Taipei Zhongshan Hall, where the ceremony to accept Japan's surrender was held eight decades ago.

In Taichung, a commemorative concert was held to honor the older generations in Taiwan who steadfastly resisted Japanese colonial rule.

Events marking the commemoration day attracted widespread attention from the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macao.

Ko Chung Kit, vice chairman of the Y. Elites Association based in Hong Kong, said the establishment of the commemoration day is meant to ensure that this glorious history is deeply engraved in the hearts of every Chinese, adding that the reunification of the Chinese nation is the prevailing trend and the shared aspiration of the people.

"The establishment of the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the importance of safeguarding national sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity," said Lao Ngai Leong, head of the Macao branch of the China Council for the Promotion of Peaceful National Reunification.