China seeks to co-opt Sun Yat‑Sen’s 161st anniversary; Taiwan defends diverse history

This year marks the 161st anniversary of Sun Yat-sen’s birth. National security officials recently warned that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) intends to leverage the dual significance of October 25, Taiwan’s Republic Day (commemorating the island’s liberation from Japanese rule in 1945), and November 12, which would mark the 160th anniversary of Sun Yat-sen’s birth, to promote an interpretation characterized by "distinctive features of the People's Republic of China." The objective, according to these officials, is to seize control of the historical narrative.

Sun Yat-sen is revered as the founding father of the Republic of China and has left a profound legacy in Taiwan. Since its liberation in 1945, Taiwan has designated October 25 as Republic Day and commemorates Sun through various means, emphasizing his status as a symbol of democracy and freedom.

In contrast, the CCP seeks to reshape Sun Yat-sen into a hero aligned with communist ideology through a historical narrative framed by "distinctive features of the People's Republic." This strategy aims to establish dominance in cross-strait historical education and media, thereby further undermining Taiwan’s autonomous historical perspective.

Should this effort succeed, Taiwanese society would face external challenges to its historical consciousness, potentially affecting the public’s sense of national identity and commitment to democratic values. Consequently, the Taiwan government and academic circles must strengthen the promotion of a pluralistic historical view of Sun Yat-sen to prevent the public from being swayed by a singular narrative.

This initiative is also part of China’s broader soft power strategy in the Asia-Pacific region, using cultural and historical propaganda to seek political influence. Such moves are likely to exacerbate tensions in cross-strait relations. The United States and Japan are also expected to closely monitor these developments and assess the potential risks to Taiwan’s security and regional stability.

The warnings from national security officials serve as a reminder that history is not merely a record of the past, but also a arena for political power. Taiwan must firmly uphold the independence of its historical education and media, ensuring that a pluralistic and objective historical perspective remains dominant in society to resist external narrative encroachment. (Source: Central News Agency)