A Chinese mainland spokesman on Taiwan affairs on Wednesday sought to alert people from both sides of the Taiwan Straits of the dangers of historical views supporting "Taiwan independence."
"The 'Taiwan independence' secessionist forces seek to negate the Chinese nation's achievements in the war against Japan and erase Taiwan compatriots' contributions to the fight against Japan's colonial rule and victory against Japan's attacks," said Ma Xiaoguang of the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office at a press conference.
Ma's response came after Lien Chan, a former chairman of the Kuomintang Party (KMT), received criticisms in Taiwan for his presence in the recent military parade to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of WWII in Beijing on September 3.
Ma said despite the difference in perspectives toward the history of the war, the real threat that deserves the vigilance of both the Chinese mainland and Taiwan is separatist forces.
Ma said the victory of the War of Chinese People's Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1937-45) was achieved thanks to the solidarity of all Chinese ethnicities.
However, the secessionist forces seek to sow discord among compatriots across the Straits and sabotage the peaceful development of cross-Straits ties, he said. "Curbing the spread of historical views that uphold 'Taiwan independence' and contain secessionist schemes are historical obligations that all responsible political parties and politicians should undertake," Ma said.
"A peaceful cross-Straits relationship, based on the 1992 Consensus and a joint opposition against Taiwan separation, is one of the goals of the commemoration," Ma added.
The spokesman criticized recent remarks by a former Taiwan leader Lee Teng-hui, saying they exposed Lee's "topsy-turvy historical views and disgraceful colonial slave mentality." Lee, also former KMT chairman, is known for his "Taiwan-independence stance." He said recently that "Taiwan feels grateful to have ever been governed by Japan," and that "Taiwan is independent in substance."
