A series of 16 activities will be held from July 7 to October 25 to mark the 70th anniversary of the ROC's victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan and the retrocession of Taiwan, Executive Yuan Spokesperson Sun Lih-chyun said at a press conference today.
The War of Resistance Against Japan, or the Second Sino-Japanese War, originated from a July 7, 1937 shooting incident between Japanese and Chinese troops at the Marco Polo Bridge, and ended on September 2, 1945 when Japan officially surrendered to the Allied nations at Tokyo Bay. It was a hard-won victory for the Republic of China, as a total of 3.22 million soldiers died and at least 20 million civilian were killed or injured during the eight-year period.
To commemorate the ROC's contributions to the Allied victory over Japan in World War II, in June last year the Executive Yuan invited Academia Historica, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defense and the General Association of Chinese Culture to organize activities honoring ROC soldiers for their heroic deeds while raising awareness and patriotism among citizens.
The activities will include an international academic conference, a forum on Taiwan and war, a forum on Taiwanese people's perspectives on the war, lectures, a historical artifact exhibit, a retrocession archive exhibition, special printing of a book on the Cairo Conference and the retrocession of Taiwan to the ROC, publication of a 14-book series on the Second Sino-Japanese War, documentary films on ROC air forces, workshops, concerts, exhibitions of weaponry at military bases around the nation, awards for outstanding servicemen, a ceremony for the 70th anniversary of Taiwan's retrocession, educational activities at schools, as well as the issuance of commemorative stamps and coins.
For the international academic conference, Academia Historica will invite prestigious scholars and World War II museums from around the world for a retrospective look on this part of history. The conference aims to confer an appropriate interpretation of the Second Sino-Japanese War through the perspective of the ROC but also to allow the world to understand the ROC's role in that conflict.
For overseas events, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will work with the Ministry of National Defense, the Overseas Community Affairs Council and the Veterans Affairs Council to organize activities drawing attention to the ROC's triumph while also recognizing the efforts and dedication of overseas compatriots in the war.
The commemorative activities will highlight four themes: the bitter eight-year struggle was won by the people and forces of the ROC; ROC resistance against Japanese invasion played a significant role in the Allies' victory in World War II; Taiwan's retrocession is inseparable from ROC victory over the Japanese; and future Sino-Japanese relations will be built on peace and cooperation.
The activities are intended to deepen citizens' understanding of the glorious victory of that difficult conflict while helping the country's youth learn the truth of the war and the ROC's role in world peace. The events will also establish the ROC's narrative on this part of history and help the international community recognize the ROC's contributions to ending World War II.