A seminar commemorating the 60th anniversary of Taiwan's recovery from Japanese rule has opened in Beijing.

Senior political advisor Zhang Kehui told the seminar that the Taiwan compatriots' fight against Japanese rule contributed to China's victory in World War II and helped boost the Chinese people's morale.

He also reaffirmed the importance of more exchanges between people from the mainland and Taiwan for China's peaceful reunification and joint efforts against separatist attempts in the island.

Japan occupied Taiwan and then began a fifty-year long colonial rule over the island after a war with China that ended in 1895. It was not until October 25, 1945 that Taiwan was returned to the motherland.

(CRI.com October 24, 2005)