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Taiwan Urges Citizens to Shun Sun Yat-sen Anniversary Events in China
By Drooid · · How we work
Taiwan Advises Citizens to Avoid Commemorations
On Oct 16, Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council issued a statement urging Taiwanese people not to travel to mainland China for the upcoming Nov 12 celebrations of Sun Yat-sen’s 160th birthday. The council warned that participation would “echo the Chinese communists’ narratives” and suggested that the events are being used to promote a unification agenda opposed by Taipei.
Historical Context and Cross-Strait Significance
Sun Yat-sen, who died in 1925, led the 1911 revolution that ended imperial rule in China and later founded the Republic of China (ROC). After the ROC government retreated to Taiwan in 1949, both Taipei and Beijing continue to claim Sun as a national hero. In recent years, Beijing has organized high-profile commemorations, while Taiwan maintains Sun’s portrait in the presidential office but has removed his “Three Principles of the People” from mandatory school curricula. The divergent portrayals reflect a broader historical fault line between the two sides.
Official Statements from Taipei and Beijing
- China’s Taiwan Affairs Office declined to comment on the Taiwanese advisory.
- President Xi Jinping, speaking at a previous Sun commemoration, described Sun as a “great national hero and patriot” and asserted that Sun opposed any attempts to “split the country,” linking the anniversary to the “sacred duty” of complete reunification.
- President Lai Ching-te, leader of the Democratic Progressive Party, reiterated that only the people of Taiwan can decide their future, underscoring the island’s separate identity.
Implications for Cross-Strait Relations
Taiwan’s advisory highlights an escalating rhetorical clash over historical memory and sovereignty. By discouraging participation, Taipei signals a tougher stance toward Beijing’s attempts to leverage Sun’s legacy for political purposes. The move may further strain diplomatic exchanges, as Beijing has previously labeled President Lai a “separatist” and reduced direct communication. Observers note that the dispute over Sun’s legacy adds another layer to the already complex Taiwan-China relationship, potentially influencing future interactions around commemorative events and broader geopolitical narratives.