Mainland slams DPP for blocking Taiwan compatriots from attending war commemoration

The Chinese mainland on Wednesday accused Taiwan region's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities of obstructing Taiwan compatriots from attending upcoming grand gathering in Beijing marking the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.

Zhu Fenglian, spokesperson for the State Council Taiwan Affairs Office, said the DPP's actions were "a contemptible betrayal of history and the nation."

She stressed that the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was a collective struggle of the entire Chinese nation, with people in Taiwan making "great sacrifices and important contributions." She said compatriots from both sides of the Taiwan Straits should jointly commemorate the event, honor the fallen, and draw strength from history to advance national reunification and rejuvenation.

The Chinese mainland is scheduled to hold the grand gathering, which will include a military parade, on September 3 at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Zhu said the Chinese mainland will invite representatives from across society to attend, including Taiwan compatriots.

The DPP authorities recently said public servants would be barred from traveling to the Chinese mainland for the grand gathering, and alerted Taiwan compatriots not to attend it, warning that any "cooperation with the mainland" could lead to penalties. Several applications seeking to attend have already been rejected.

Zhu accused the DPP of deliberately distorting history and intimidating Taiwan compatriots, calling such moves "despicable and disgraceful."