Former Chairman of Taiwan's opposition Kuomintang (KMT), Hung Hsiu-chu, has confirmed that she will attend the parade on September 3rd in Beijing commemorating the 80th anniversary of victory in the Chinese mainland's War of Resistance Against Japan. She said that the War of Resistance is a shared history, regardless of province or party affiliation.
Hung Hsiu-chu’s office issued a press release on the 2nd announcing the above news.
In the press release, Hung said that this time she is going to Beijing to participate in the event commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Chinese nation’s War of Resistance Against Japan and the World Anti-Fascist War. At the same time, there will also be descendants of the soldiers who fought against Japan; their ancestors fought bravely and gave their lives for the country. “Now we are able to attend and participate in the commemoration of this victorious moment in our national calamity—this is a response to history, and even more, a salute to our forefathers.”
She pointed out that the War of Resistance Against Japan was a war for the survival of the Chinese nation, a battle of life and death for the country, “it is our shared history, regardless of province, regardless of party.”
Hung emphasized: “I have always firmly believed that history cannot be forgotten, nor can it be distorted. If it weren’t for the KMT-CPC cooperation and the national resistance back then, how could the lifeblood of the Republic of China have survived to this day? If it weren’t for the millions of sons and daughters of China who fought fearlessly, what right do we have to tell this history today?”
Hung said that the Kuomintang is the political party that overthrew the Qing dynasty and established the “Republic of China.” As a former KMT chairwoman, she feels responsible for carrying on the spirit of the War of Resistance. Her trip is solely to pass on the historical truth, and to pay tribute to the heroic spirits. “Let today’s generations not forget the painful memory of resistance against Japan, and let not national humiliation be forgotten—evoke our national spirit! Let us remember history, unite the nation, defend peace, and rejuvenate China!”
On the 1st, Taiwanese media cited national security sources saying that Hung Hsiu-chu, former KMT Secretary-General Lee Chien-lung, and incumbent KMT Standing Committee member Ho Ying-lu planned to attend the September 3rd parade. Lee Chien-lung said, due to health reasons, he will not go to Beijing. Ho Ying-lu said he was not invited, but if he could, he would like to go. Hung Hsiu-chu posted on Tuesday expressing her willingness to go to Beijing.