Former KMT chairman set to participate in Beijing's military parade

Former KMT Chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu to Attend China's Military Parade

In a controversial move, former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu has announced her decision to attend China's military parade in Beijing today. Her attendance has sparked heated debates and condemnation from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), with concerns over Taiwan's dignity and sovereignty.

Hung's reason for attending is to "carry forward the spirit of resistance" in commemoration of the end of World War II and the Second Sino-Japanese War. She emphasised her responsibility to uphold the legacy as a former KMT leader. However, the DPP has accused Hung of parroting the Chinese Communist Party's line about the end of WWII, and that the KMT's silence is a betrayal of history that harms Taiwan's dignity.

The DPP spokeswoman, Tai Wei-shan, pointed out that Hung once criticised former KMT chair Lien Chan for attending the same parade in 2015. The Mainland Affairs Council has urged Taiwanese to refrain from attending the military parade or any other events organised by the Chinese government, as it could harm the nation's dignity.

KMT Legislator Lin Szu-ming stated that Hung is visiting China in a personal capacity and cannot represent the party. Despite this, Hung stated without the cooperation between the KMT and the Chinese Communist Party, along with the united resistance of the "entire nation," the Republic of China could not have survived.

The PRC has been using various means to suppress Taiwan in the international arena and frequently harasses the nation by sending military planes and vessels into waters and airspace around Taiwan. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman, Hsiao Kuang-wei, stated that the People's Republic of China is distorting the historical facts of WWII and falsely claiming Taiwan belongs to the PRC.

Hsiao Kuang-wei also warned that attending the Chinese event could send a wrong signal to international society, causing people to misunderstand Taiwan's democracy and sovereignty. Attending the Chinese military parade would be going against local mainstream public opinion and would not represent the stance of all the people of Taiwan.

Political parties, groups, and individuals collaborating with CCP officials are subject to prosecution under the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area. With this in mind, former KMT secretary-general Lee Chien-lung declined the invitation to attend China's military parade due to health reasons following surgery.

Hsiao Kuang-wei asserted that Taiwan has undergone political democratization and liberalization since the 1980s, holding its first direct presidential election in 1996, and that it is the only legal government that rules Taiwan. The DPP is expected by official sources to urge its members not to participate in military parades in Beijing to protect national dignity.

As the news of Hung's attendance unfolds, Taiwanese citizens and political figures continue to express their disagreement and concerns, highlighting the complex and sensitive relationship between Taiwan and China.