Aggression might be forgiven but will never be forgotten

The Washington Post
Date:  September 8, 2015
By: Lyushun Shen

Wednesday marks exactly the 70th anniversary of the Japanese surrender to Generalissimo

Illustration on the 70th anniversary of Japan’s surrender to China by Alexander Hunter/The Washington Times

Chiang Kai-shek’s government in 1945. While Americans think first of Pearl Harbor, full-scale war between Chiang Kai-shek’s China and Japan began in July 1937. Madame Chiang told the U.S. Congress in February 1943: “Let us not forget that during the first four-and-a-half years of total aggression China has borne Japan’s sadistic fury unaided and alone.” Despite tremendous hardship and huge human life costs, the Republic of China (ROC) government under Chiang Kai-shek’s leadership contributed greatly to the final victory of the Allied Powers. To say the least, ROC armed forces defeated dozens of enemy divisions, tied down 1 million Japanese troops in China who otherwise would have freely attacked Allied forces in Southeast Asia and the Pacific.

Today’s ROC in Taiwan is the direct and legitimate successor to the government of Chiang Kai-shek, who died in Taiwan in 1975 as the ROC president, and we proudly fly the same flag. Under this flag, together with the Stars and Stripes, Union Jack and Soviet Red Flag, our last generation finally won a common victory over Japanese militarism. We therefore consider it is both our right and obligation to honor the 70th anniversary of the victory of World War II, just like any other Allied country.     [FULL  STORY]