China Declares Oct 25 Taiwan Restoration Day, Sparking Cross-Strait Tensions and Historical Debate

China has officially announced October 25 as the Commemoration Day of Taiwan's Restoration as the day when in 1945 Japanese troops had surrendered in Taipei, ending colonial occupation and restoring Taiwan to Chinese authority. The announcement followed a vote by China's top legislative body, marking the day as a demonstration of national sovereignty and unity.

The event is framed as a tribute to the success of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Chinese leaders assert that the return of Taiwan is a historical and legal affirmation of its position as an indivisible part of China.

However, the action generated harsh criticism from Taiwan. The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) condemned the action, claiming that Beijing was tampering with history and attempting to justify its claim over Taiwan by building misleading versions. Taiwan maintains that the 1945 retrocession was conducted by the Republic of China (ROC), preceding the formation of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949.

Taiwan had previously reinstated October 25 as Taiwan Retrocession Day and Memorial Day of Great Victory at Kuningtou Kinmen in 2025, having had a 24-year hiatus. The ROC government honors the day as the day Japan transferred sovereignty to the ROC, as opposed to that of the PRC.

With both sides organizing commemoration events, the nomenclature mirrors heightened tensions and competing interpretations of history between the Taiwan Strait.