Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of Chinese Embassy in PNG Pang Hanzhao Contributes an Article to PNG’s Media Entitled “Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Taiwan’s Restoration to China[...]

On 6 November, 2025,Mr. PANG Hanzhao, Chargé d'affaires a.i. of Chinese Embassy contributed an article to PNG's two mainstream media The National and Post-Courier entitled "Commemorate the 80th Anniversary of Taiwan's Restoration to China and Advance the Reunification of China". The full text is as follows:

This year marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, as well as the 80th anniversary of the restoration of Taiwan. On October 24, the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress of China designated October 25 as the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration. On October 25, the meeting commemorating the 80th anniversary of Taiwan's restoration to China was held in Beijing.

There is but one China in the world, Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory and the Government of the People's Republic of China is the sole legal government representing the whole of China. This has long been a prevailing consensus of the international community, including PNG. Why did the Chinese Government designated the Commemoration Day 80 years after Taiwan's Restoration to China? I'd like to share three aspects of considerations.

First, the establishment of the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration aims to better honor and remember this great victory.

In 1895, through military aggression, Japanese imperialism coerced the then Qing government into signing the unequal Treaty and forcibly occupied Taiwan and the Penghu Islands. During its half-century of colonial rule over Taiwan, Japan brutally suppressed the resistance efforts of Chinese people in Taiwan, perpetrated a series of heinous massacres, including the Yunlin Massacre, plundered Taiwan's resources, and forcibly implemented the "kominka" campaign in a vain attempt to eradicate the national identity and consciousness of Taiwan compatriots as Chinese. 

In 1941, the Chinese government issued a declaration of war against Japan, and proclaimed that all treaties, conventions, agreements, and contracts regarding relations between China and Japan had been abrogated. In 1943, The Cairo Declaration issued by China, the United States and the United Kingdom stated that it was the purpose of the three allies that all the territories Japan had stolen from China, such as Northeast China, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, should be restored to China. In 1945, The Potsdam Proclamation which was signed by China, the United States and the United Kingdom and subsequently recognized by the Soviet Union, reiterated: "The terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out." On August 15, 1945, Japan announced its acceptance of the Potsdam Proclamation and surrendered unconditionally. On September 2, Japan formally signed the instrument of surrender to China and the other Allied Powers, in which it promised that it would faithfully fulfill the obligations laid down in the Potsdam Proclamation. 

On October 25, 1945, the ceremony to accept Japan's surrender in Taiwan Province of the China war theater of the Allied powers was held in Taipei. Chen Yi, then Chief Executive of Taiwan Province, declared on behalf of the Chinese government: "As of today, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands have been formally incorporated into the territory of China. All land, people, and administration have been placed under China's sovereignty." Our compatriots in Taiwan, having cast off the shackles of colonial rule, celebrated with great enthusiasm their return to the embrace of the motherland.

Second, the establishment of the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration aims to better uphold the outcomes of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the postwar international order.

It is common practice in the international community to designate national memorial days to ensure that the people never forget the history. Following the Victory Day of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the National Memorial Day for the Victims of the Nanjing Massacre, the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration is another national memorial day with the theme of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. This is consistent with common international practice and, more importantly, a firm upholding of the correct view of the history of World War II and the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. 

The history of Taiwan's restoration fully demonstrates that, both from the perspective of historical facts and international law, Taiwan's restoration to China was the direct outcome of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. It is a historical fact that underwent all legal procedures. The issue of Taiwan's status was completely resolved with the victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the recovery of Taiwan.

On October 25, 1971, the 26th Session of the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758 by an overwhelming majority, deciding to restore all rights to the People's Republic of China and to recognize the government of the People's Republic of China as the sole legitimate representative of China to the United Nations. This resolution thoroughly resolved, in political, legal, and procedural terms, the issue of the representation of the entire China, including Taiwan, in the United Nations, unequivocally rejecting any possibility of "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan."

However, in recent years, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) in Taiwan and "Taiwan independence" separatist forces have colluded with external powers to push for so-called "de-Sinicization" and persistently engaged in secessionist provocations. They have been deliberately distorting and challenging Resolution 2758, laboriously peddling the pernicious falsehood of "Taiwan's status being undetermined" and attempting to deny the historical fact of Taiwan's restoration, sever Taiwan's ties with the mainland of China, and challenge the postwar international order. This will never succeed! Over 80 years ago, despite China's poverty and weakness, the Chinese people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait fought valiantly to expel the invaders and reclaim Taiwan. Today, we will not tolerate any infringement upon our national sovereignty and territorial integrity, nor will we allow Taiwan's restoration, which is the outcome of the victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression, to be stripped away.

The restoration of Taiwan and its return to China represent a major achievement of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. It is an integral part of the postwar international order, grounded in an unshakable legal foundation and historical facts, and cannot be distorted or denied!

Third, the establishment of the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration aims to better safeguard the wellbeing of our compatriots in Taiwan and advance the cause of national reunification.

The restoration of Taiwan once again proves that the mainland of China and Taiwan, with clear historical context and legal facts, belong to one China. The one-China principle absolutely does not tolerate "Taiwan independence" separatism. The "Taiwan independence" separatist forces and their actions harm the broad masses of Taiwan compatriots and damage the interests of the entire nation. National sovereignty and territorial integrity are indivisible, and the historical tragedy of national division must never be repeated. The one-China principle also absolutely does not tolerate external interference. Any person or force attempting to interfere in China's internal affairs or distort and challenge UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 will never succeed.

Resolving the Taiwan question and realizing China's complete reunification is a shared aspiration of all Chinese people. We will continue to uphold the principles of peaceful reunification and the "one country, two systems" policy and are willing to engage in dialogue and consultations with all sectors of Taiwan society on the basis of the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus. We will strive to pursue the prospect of peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and utmost efforts. We will give full consideration to the realities in Taiwan and fully accommodate the interests and sentiments of our compatriots in Taiwan, but we will leave no room for separatist activities in any form. After peaceful reunification, backed by the strong support of the motherland, Taiwan will enjoy greater economic development, energy and resource security, infrastructure, public safety, and external exchanges. Compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Straits will share the dignity and glory of our great nation and together embrace a bright future of prosperity and stability. 

It is the development and strength of the mainland of China that determine Taiwan's future and destiny. Supported by the collective wisdom and strength of all Chinese people, the public aspiration for the reunification of China is unshakable, its foundation immensely solid, and its driving force immensely powerful. The realization of China's rejuvenation is unstoppable! China's complete reunification will surely be achieved! 

China and PNG are good friends, good partners, and good brothers. The two sides have always firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns. The PNG Government has reaffirmed on many occasions that PNG firmly adheres to the one-China principle, resolutely opposes "Taiwan independence," and support all efforts made by the Chinese Government to achieve national reunification. China highly appreciates this position. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and PNG. Based on the one-China principle, we look forward to continuing to strengthen bilateral exchanges and expand practical cooperation with the PNG side, further deepening and substantiating the China-PNG comprehensive strategic partnership, as well as contributing more to safeguarding the achievements of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the postwar international order.