'Veterans from Taiwan are welcome'

For the first time in its history, the People's Republic of China is celebrating the end of the World War II in Asia and the surrender of Japan by organizing a large military parade. Until now, Beijing has only exhibited its military power on October 1, its national day. So why has it decided to hold a military parade on the 70th anniversary of the World War II? China experts see a number of motives behind this unusual propaganda exercise.

First of all, the event should be seen as a response to Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's efforts to amend the constitution and strengthen his country's defense. On the other hand, it is also an attempt by the Chinese government to assert its regional dominance, particularly in the South and East China Sea, and in the West Pacific. Domestically, President Xi Jinping wants to send out a message that he has a firm grip on matters related to defense and army, says Kristin Shi-Kupfer of the Mercator Institute for China Studies (MERICS).

An "undervalued" role

The event is officially called "Commemorating the 70th anniversary of China's victory in the War of Resistance against Japan and the world's victory against fascism." China, therefore, wants to remind the world how important its role was during the World War II, which, some historians believe, is not fully acknowledged and appreciated.

"We are very Europe-centric about the World War II," said Cord Eberspächer, a China and military expert at the Confucius Institute in Düsseldorf. "China's role during the war between Japan and the US in the Pacific is commonly underestimated. China actually greatly facilitated the American advance by tying down huge numbers of Japanese troops," he added.

And with this historical aspect of the military parade comes a third actor into play: Taiwan. The island-nation provided refuge to Chinese nationalists under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek after they had been expelled from the mainland in 1949 by Mao Zedong. During World War II, the communists and nationalists, who loathed each other but faced a common enemy, worked together. But after the establishment of the People's Republic of China, both sides claimed the main share in the resistance against the invaders and ultimately the victory over Japan.

Coming closer

After the deaths of Mao and Chiang and the dissolution of the Eastern bloc, the duel over Taiwan lost its explosive force. This allowed Beijing to look at the war from a new perspective and appreciate the Kuomintang's (the Chinese Nationalist Party, or KMT) role. Since the late 1980s, China has built many museums and memorials to honor Chiang and his comrades.

Hence, it seems logical for Beijing to invite Taiwanese veterans to the military parade and the celebrations.

"I think the invitation of Taiwanese representatives is a signal," said Eberspächer. "Both China and Taiwan would like to continue the process of understanding from a position where they don't have to lose face."

Submission?

But China's friendly gestures are looked at with skepticism in Taiwan. This can be seen in the critical response to the "private" participation of Taiwan's former vice-president and former KMT chairman, Lien Chan, in China's World War II celebrations. The visit has sparked strong reactions and criticism in Taiwan. Lien's visit could send a "wrong signal" to the world, many believe.

The participation of a Taiwanese politician in the victory celebration could be seen a tacit acceptance on the part of Taiwan of Beijing's claim to represent the whole of China. "The legitimacy of the KMT is based on the War of Resistance against Japan, and Lien Chan's trip undermines it," Taiwanese historian and author Chen Fang-ming told the media.

Unequal 'brothers-in-arms'

Taiwan opposition's presidential candidate, Tsai Ing-wen, has similar reservations as she talks about the different interpretation of the past by Taipei and Beijing. She also says that Beijing has not abandoned its military intervention plans for Taiwan in the event of an official declaration of independence by the government in Taipei.

Taiwanese newspaper Lien Riabo (United Daily News) has rejected Lien's trip to Beijing. Apparently, Lien was unable to detect the mood of the Taiwanese people, which is very critical against the mainland, wrote a newspaper commentator.

However, Chinese authorities will evoke the feeling of historic Taiwan-China camaraderie during the celebrations and will acknowledge that Taiwanese citizens were an invaluable part of the struggle. But as long as Beijing doesn't officially renounce the use of force as a last resort in its relations with Taiwan, any notion of brotherhood across the Strait of Taiwan will remain illusory.