By Chen Yu-fu, Shih Hsiao-kuang and Sam Garcia / Staff reporters, with staff writer and CNA
Former Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) chairwoman Hung Hsiu-chu (洪秀柱) arrived in Beijing yesterday to attend China's military parade tomorrow, adding to controversy around Taiwanese politicians participating in official Chinese activities.
China's parade tomorrow marks the 80th anniversary of Japan's surrender in World War II and the end of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
Hung said she has a responsibility to uphold the KMT's spirit of resistance by attending the parade, as it is the party that overthrew the Qing Dynasty and founded the Republic of China.
A national security official said yesterday that Hung, former KMT secretary-general Lee Chien-lung (李乾龍) and KMT Central Standing Committee member Ho Ying-lu (何鷹鷺) might attend the parade.
Participation by high-profile Taiwanese politicians would confuse Taiwan's international diplomatic image by implying that a mainstream Taiwanese political party acquiesces or agrees with Beijing's stance on Taiwan, the official said.
Lee yesterday said that he would not attend due to health concerns, while Hung said in a news release that she arrived in Beijing yesterday.
Hung said that the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was a fight for the survival of the Chinese nation, and is a shared history that transcends political parties and provinces.
History must never be forgotten or distorted, she said.
Hung said the trip is merely to pass on historical truths and honor fallen heroes, ensuring that today's generation does not forget the war's painful history and national humiliation.
KMT Cultural and Communications Committee chair Lin Kuan-yu (林寬裕) today said that the position of former party officials does not reflect the party's current position.
Yesterday, KMT Chairman Eric Chu (朱立倫) said that legal cross-strait visits by individuals should be allowed, but those who have held high-level public offices must adhere to regulations.
The Mainland Affairs Council today said that if any political party, corporation, organization or individual participates in official activities in China and cooperates with China in any way, such as spreading propaganda, signing agreements or issuing joint statements, they would be punished according to the Act Governing Relations Between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area (臺灣地區與大陸地區人民關係條例) and other relevant laws.
The government calls on all citizens to stand united in defending the nation's sovereignty and not take part in China's military parade or other related activities, the council said.