Taiwan's Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) pointed out that mainland China's claim to have led the war of resistance against Japan, and subsequently holding the September 3rd military parade, is aimed at strengthening mainland China's "One China Principle" rhetoric internationally, while emphasizing that the People's Republic of China did not even exist during the war of resistance against Japan.
On the eve of mainland China's September 3rd military parade (the 2nd), the MAC posted on Facebook: "In recent years, the Chinese Communist Party has repeatedly distorted historical facts, claiming to have led the war of resistance against Japan, and has held a series of events such as the 'September 3rd military parade'. The purpose is to strengthen its 'One China Principle' narrative internationally, falsely linking it to United Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758, and attempting to diminish the Republic of China and fabricate that Taiwan belongs to the People's Republic of China."
The MAC continued: "But during the Republic of China's war of resistance against Japan, the People's Republic of China simply did not exist."
The MAC reiterated the government's policy stance, emphasizing that current officials of central and local governments in Taiwan are prohibited from attending mainland China's September 3rd military parade or any related activities organized by mainland authorities. Those who have held specific positions related to national defense, foreign affairs, mainland affairs, or national security in Taiwan, are legally barred from participating in celebrations and activities organized by mainland Chinese party, government, or military bodies, as such behavior "would harm the dignity of the nation."
The MAC warned that if any Taiwanese political parties, legal entities, civic organizations, or individuals go to the mainland to participate in related activities and engage in any form of cooperation with the mainland, the competent authorities will impose penalties in accordance with the Cross-Strait Act and other relevant laws.
Taiwan's Liberty Times previously reported that, according to interviewed officials familiar with national security issues: "As long as prominent figures attend the September 3rd military parade, we will investigate and handle it according to the law." The mainland's Taiwan Affairs Office responded that representatives from all sectors in Taiwan coming to Beijing to participate in the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance against Japan is an act of upholding national interests, upholding justice and conscience, is aboveboard, and is entirely beyond reproach.
The Taiwan Affairs Office also said: "The DPP authorities treat this as if facing a great enemy, obstructing, threatening, and intimidating in every way, completely losing a national stance, betraying justice and conscience, seriously violating the wishes of compatriots on both sides of the Strait, seriously damaging the feelings of compatriots on both sides, fully exposing their 'Taiwan independence' nature, which is despicable and contemptible."
In response to the Taiwan Affairs Office's remarks, the MAC reiterated that pursuant to the Cross-Strait Act, individuals who have held significant posts related to national defense, foreign affairs, or mainland affairs cannot participate in celebrations or activities held by mainland China, and welcomes the people of Taiwan to actively participate in the commemorative events for the war of resistance against Japan, the victory at Guningtou, the 823 Artillery Bombardment, and other commemorations that will be successively organized by the Ministry of National Defense, the Veterans Affairs Council, and other central government agencies in Taiwan.