Lien Chan, honorary chairman of the Kuomintang Party (KMT), has
called on the people to have a right view of history, saying only
by looking at history correctly can one correctly look into the
future.
"We can tolerate our past enemies but can never forget them,
therefore we must have a correct understanding of history," Lien
said in a recent interview with the Oriental Horizon of
China Central Television.
The interview was carried out when China marked the 60th
anniversary of victory in the Chinese people's War of
Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World
Anti-Fascist War.
Lien's grandfather moved to the mainland after Taiwan was ceded
to Japan in 1895. Recalling his childhood during the war in
northwest China, he said the bombing of Japanese planes was "too
fierce and cruel."
"The July 7 Incident in 1937 was a unprompted and self-conscious
rebellion of the whole Chinese nation against Japanese aggression.
I believe it was a history of struggle of the entire nation, which
is of a historical significance to today's Taiwan in particular,"
he said.
It was a war?joined by the whole nation. Both the KMT and
the Communist Party of China played a part, not for a certain party
but for the Chinese nation, noted Lien. "Therefore we must have a
broad and lofty vision."
"I think the way we are going is a right one," he said.
Regarding the recent commemorative activities held by the KMT
Central Committee and Lien himself, he said the KMT has the
responsibility to highlight the history.
It is especially so when the Taiwan authorities obviously and
deliberately avoid the historical connection of Taiwan and the
mainland.
The Chinese people love peace. Even in the century of foreign
invasions and wars, the Chinese people kept struggling for the
future, Lien said.
"There is no word to describe or value their sacrifice and
experience of drifting away from home, but we should memorize the
history today and let our children know there were such people who
did such things in that time," he said.
"Recalling history and looking into the future, I hope the
country and the nation will never be bullied by others. Therefore
prosperity and peace is the goal we should pursue. We must seek
peace and development through peaceful coexistence and cooperation
and share prosperity in the future. I believe it is the grand
common aspiration of our nation," said Lien.
(Xinhua News Agency September 5, 2005)