China and Taiwan are in a heated argument over history and national identity. This new war of words has raised global attention. The issue is serious and emotional.
China Says Taiwan Is Already Its Land
China has said very clearly that Taiwan is not a separate country. According to Beijing, Taiwan is already a part of China. So, they say, it is not possible to “invade” their own land.
The Chinese government sees Taiwan as a breakaway province. China has put more political and military pressure on the island during the past five years. This covers naval and air force activities near Taiwan’s boundaries. China frequently enters Taiwan’s air defense zone with scores of airplanes. The most recent Chinese military exercises were in April.
Taiwan’s current president, Lai Ching-te, strongly disagrees with China. Lai recently started a series of ten speeches on “uniting the country.” In his first two speeches, he said Taiwan is “of course a country.” China has no historical or legal claim to the island, he continued.
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China especially dislikes President Lai. Officials in Beijing have called him a “separatist.” They believe his speeches are pushing for full independence, which they find extremely dangerous.
Chinese Leaders Cite World War II History
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi recently spoke to European ambassadors in Beijing. He warned them about Taiwan’s ruling party. Wang Yi claimed the party is doing all it can to make Taiwan independent. He called this behavior very risky.
Wang Yi said Taiwan used to be part of China before Japan took it in 1895. After Japan lost World War Two, China claimed that the island should return to its control. Chinese officials referred to two key historical agreements—the 1943 Cairo Declaration and the 1945 Potsdam Declaration—as proof that Taiwan was meant to come back to China after the war.
Wang Yi said:
“The matter is very clear. Taiwan is part of China. One of World War Two’s successful consequences was Taiwan’s return to China.”
This argument is often used by Chinese officials to justify their claim over Taiwan. They believe the history is settled and does not need debate.
Zhu Fenglian, a spokesperson for China’s Taiwan Affairs Office, also repeated this view. When asked about U.S. comments that China’s drills could be seen as attack preparations, she said there is no invasion happening.
At a news briefing, she declared, “There is no invasion to speak of; Taiwan is a part of China.”
Taiwan Rejects China’s Version of History
Taiwan is strongly pushing back. President Lai says only the citizens can decide its future, not China. In a recent speech, he said “Taiwan independence” means the island is not part of the People’s Republic of China.
He explained that the Republic of China was founded in 1911 and moved to Taiwan in 1949 after losing a civil war. He pointed out it’s now 113 years old, while the People’s Republic of China is only around 70.
“It’s simple and clear,” he stated.
The island of Taiwan still officially uses the name “Republic of China.”
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, and China is planning a major military parade in early September to commemorate it. Beijing has invited former soldiers who once fought for the Republic of China to attend the event, a move that has sparked strong opposition from the island’s government.
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Taiwan’s defense minister, Wellington Koo, criticized the invitation, accusing China of twisting historical facts. He firmly stated that it was the Republic of China—not the People’s Republic of China—that led and won the war against Japan. Speaking to reporters at Taiwan’s parliament, Koo said, “There is no question that the Republic of China, not the People’s Republic of China, led and prevailed in the war of resistance.”
The historical disagreement has taken on a deeper emotional tone. With powerful speeches, references to war records, and growing military activity, tensions between the two sides continue to rise as neither appears willing to shift its position.