56th Anniversary of Recovery of Sovereignty over Taiwan MarkedA special exhibition of historical photos opened to the public Thursday to mark the 56th anniversary of the recovery of sovereignty over Taiwan.More than 100 precious pictures show Taiwan compatriots' fight against Japan's colonial domination and their courage in safeguarding the motherland's unification. Chinese Vice Premier Qian Qichen, and director of Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council Chen Yunlin, attended the opening ceremony and viewed the exhibition. Yang Guoqing, head of All-China Federation of Taiwan Compatriots, said that Taiwan is, and always has been, part of China. Taiwan people, who are part of the big Chinese family, have a tradition of patriotism. Yang recalled that Taiwan people resisted the Japanese aggression and 650,000 of them died during the 1895-1945 period before Japan surrendered in 1945. According to the Japanese-drafted Treaty of Shimonoseki that the government of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) was forced to sign in 1895, Taiwan, Liaodong Peninsula (northeast China), and Penghu Islands were ceded to Japan. Yang criticized the few separatist forces in Taiwan today that have attempted to whitewash the colonial domination of Japan in Taiwan and to collude with the right-wing forces in Japan. He said to solve the issue of Taiwan and realize the reunification of the motherland is a historical mission to be undertaken by all Chinese people, including Taiwan compatriots. He said he was confident the reunification of the motherland could happen soon with the joint efforts of all Chinese people. Held in the Museum of Chinese History, the exhibition is sponsored by the ACFTC, the Memorial Hall of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, and a research office of Taiwan culture and history. |
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