Taiwan’s National Day Rekindles Historical Debate with Beijing
On October 10, Taiwan marks its National Day, commemorating the Republic of China, a celebration strongly criticized annually by the People's Republic of China. This event reignites the memory conflict between Taipei and Beijing, especially after recent remarks by Xi Jinping omitting the Republic of China's role in World War II.
Every October 10th, Taiwan celebrates its national day, an event rich in history and symbolism. This date commemorates the founding of the Republic of China, a foundational moment that continues to fuel tensions with Beijing. The annual celebration indeed revives a deep historical and political debate between the two sides of the Taiwan Strait, opposing the Republic of China to the People’s Republic of China, each claiming exclusive legitimacy.
A birthday loaded with political significance
October 10th, known as “Double Ten,” marks the birth of the Republic of China in 1911, following the revolution that overthrew the Qing dynasty. For Taiwan, this date is more than just a national holiday: it symbolizes the island’s political and historical identity, which was established as a distinct state after the Chinese civil war and the relocation of the Republic of China government to Taiwan in 1949. This annual celebration is thus a reminder of the continuity of the Republic of China as a sovereign entity, despite Beijing’s contestation.
Beijing’s firm stance towards Taiwan
The People’s Republic of China, established in 1949 after the communist victory over the nationalist government, considers Taiwan a rebellious province that must be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary. Beijing therefore rejects any recognition of the Republic of China as a legitimate government and strongly criticizes the celebration of Taiwan’s national day. This opposition reflects a memory war where each side seeks to impose its version of history and sovereignty. For mainland China, only the People’s Republic of China embodies the legitimacy of the Chinese state.
A recent diplomatic controversy
This memory war was recently illustrated during a meeting between Chinese President Xi Jinping and former U.S. President Donald Trump last September. During this exchange, Xi Jinping mentioned the alliance between China and the United States during World War II, a period when the Republic of China was the recognized government. However, he omitted explicitly mentioning this fact, which sparked outrage in Taipei. This omission is seen as an attempt to minimize the historical role of the Republic of China and to reinforce Beijing’s narrative that the People’s Republic of China is the sole legitimate government of all China.
A historical debate with contemporary implications
The debate around Taiwan’s national day goes beyond simple historical commemoration. It lies at the heart of an identity and political conflict that influences international relations in the Asia-Pacific region. Whether or not the Republic of China is recognized has repercussions on diplomatic alliances, regional security, and the strategies of major powers. The October 10th celebration thus remains a sensitive moment, which rekindles tensions between Beijing and Taipei and reminds us of the complexity of the Taiwan issue, still unresolved for more than seven decades.
In short, Taiwan’s national day is much more than a simple commemoration: it is a living symbol of a contested history and a claimed sovereignty, in an international context where every historical detail is scrutinized and politicized.
