JAPAN’S unconditional surrender on August 15, 1945 and the formal handover of Taiwan on October 25, 1945, marked the island’s reintegration into Chinese sovereignty.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s liberation from Japanese occupation—a moment of profound historical significance for China and a flashpoint in contemporary geopolitics. As Beijing commemorates the return of Taiwan to Chinese sovereignty in 1945, the event serves not only as a tribute to anti-fascist victory but also as a strategic reaffirmation of China’s claim over the island. Against the backdrop of rising tensions with the West and evolving diplomatic narratives, this anniversary offers a lens through which to examine the past, present and future of cross-Strait relations.
A brief look at history reveals that Taiwan was ceded to Japan in 1895 following the First Sino-Japanese War. For fifty years, it remained under Japanese colonial rule until the end of World War II. The Cairo Declaration (1943) and the Potsdam Proclamation (1945), signed by Allied powers, explicitly stated that territories “stolen” by Japan—including Taiwan—were to be restored to China. Beijing’s “One China policy” is not merely a political stance—it is a legally grounded principle rooted in international agreements and recognized by the vast majority of the global community. The legal foundation based on the Cairo Declaration and Potsdam Proclamation was reinforced by Japan’s unconditional surrender and the subsequent handover of Taiwan on October 25, 1945. Further legitimacy was conferred through UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 in 1971, which recognized the People’s Republic of China as the sole legal representative of China, thereby excluding Taiwan from the United Nations system.
China’s position is not an isolated claim—it is embedded in the post-war international legal order and reaffirmed by over 180 countries that formally acknowledge the “One China principle.” Any deviation from this framework, including unofficial ties or arms sales to Taiwan, is viewed by China as a breach of established international consensus and a violation of its sovereign rights. Despite these historical claims, Taiwan’s status remains one of the most contentious issues in global diplomacy. The island operates as a de facto independent state with its own government, military and democratic institutions. Western nations, particularly the United States, maintain unofficial ties with Taipei, supplying arms and engaging in trade, despite formally adhering to the “One China” policy. Recent years have seen a sharp escalation in tensions. The US has increased arms sales to Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act, testing China’s resolve to settle the issue amicably. China views such support as interference in its internal affairs. The Chinese government has repeatedly warned that any move toward “Taiwan independence” is a red line that could trigger conflict. Taiwan’s dominance in semiconductor manufacturing makes it a global tech linchpin, while its location in the “first island chain” gives it strategic military value. For China, this dual significance complicates reunification efforts, as both economic and security stakes are high.
Beijing’s peaceful reunification narrative comprises shifting language with enduring goals. For decades, Beijing’s official policy has emphasized “peaceful reunification” under the framework of “One Country, Two Systems” and continues to stress its preference for a peaceful resolution. The 2022 white paper titled The Taiwan Question and China’s Reunification in the New Era outlines a multi-pronged approach: deepening economic integration, promoting people-to-people exchanges and isolating Taiwan diplomatically. Beijing has also launched a global campaign to reaffirm the One China principle, securing endorsements from over 70 countries.
Beijing’s strategy hinges on gradually pressurizing Taiwan while offering incentives for economic and cultural cooperation, making reunification appear inevitable and beneficial, rather than coercive. China’s decision to commemorate the 80th anniversary in Islamabad is diplomatically astute, signalling Beijing’s expectation of solidarity from South Asian partners, serving as soft diplomatic pressure on countries that maintain unofficial ties with Taiwan. Through historical framing and symbolic diplomacy, China seeks to delegitimize any recognition of Taiwan as a sovereign entity and encourage nations to align with its reunification agenda.
The road ahead may involve strategic patience or risk escalation—because China has set 2049—the centenary of the People’s Republic—as a symbolic deadline for national rejuvenation. President Xi Jinping has reportedly set internal goals for reunification by 2027, coinciding with the next Party Congress. Taiwan, under President Lai Ching-te, continues to assert its autonomy while calling for peaceful dialogue. Lai has emphasized that “peace is priceless,” but also insists that Taiwan must prepare for war to deter aggression. This dual posture reflects the island’s continued but misplaced resolve to assert its identity but avoid provocation.
The United States, meanwhile, maintains strategic ambiguity. During President Trump’s second term, trade negotiations and geopolitical calculations may influence Washington’s stance, adding another layer of unpredictability. The 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s liberation is more than a historical remembrance—it is a strategic reaffirmation of China’s sovereignty claims, a diplomatic signal to allies and adversaries and a narrative tool in the broader contest for global influence. As commemorations unfold, the world watches not just the ceremonies, but the messages embedded within them.
China’s pursuit of reunification through peaceful engagement is unwavering, as evidenced by President Xi Jinping’s statement in 2021: “The Taiwan question arose out of national weakness and chaos and will be resolved as part of national rejuvenation.” This quote, echoing the spirit of historical restoration and future resolve, encapsulates the enduring arc of China’s Taiwan policy—from liberation to reunification, from legal affirmation to strategic patience.
—The writer, Retired Group Captain of PAF, is author of several books on China.
