TAIPEI/WASHINGTON: The United States has strongly accused China of manipulating World War II history to strengthen its claims over Taiwan, warning that Beijing is pushing “false narratives” to isolate the island on the international stage.
American officials highlighted that China’s reliance on wartime documents such as the Cairo Declaration, Potsdam Proclamation, and the Treaty of San Francisco is misleading, as none of these explicitly place Taiwan under the sovereignty of the People’s Republic of China, which was founded years later in 1949. Washington underlined that Japan’s renunciation of Taiwan in the San Francisco Treaty left the island’s status unresolved, contrary to Beijing’s sweeping claims.
Beijing, however, reacted sharply, dismissing the U.S. statement as “misleading” and reiterating that a range of historical documents confirm China’s sovereignty over Taiwan. The Chinese foreign ministry emphasized that international agreements and Japan’s surrender terms validated its position, accusing Washington of stirring tensions.
Taiwan, on the other hand, welcomed the U.S. remarks, with Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung reaffirming that Taiwan and the People’s Republic of China are “separate entities.” He urged the global community not to allow Beijing’s version of history to dictate Taiwan’s future, emphasizing the right of the Taiwanese people to determine their own path.
The dispute comes as the region marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, underscoring how unresolved historical questions continue to fuel geopolitical rivalries in East Asia. Analysts believe this war of narratives could further complicate already tense U.S.-China relations while placing Taiwan firmly at the center of global attention.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.