Commemorating the July 7th Incident, Cheng Li-wen: The Key to War or Peace Lies in This Generation's Hands

(Central News Agency, Taipei, July 7) - Kuomintang Chairwoman Cheng Li-wen said today that 89 years after the July 7th Incident, what we should remember is not just national humiliation, but that Asia was plunged into a hell of war from then on. Standing in today's Taiwan, we cannot pretend not to see the dangerous situation in the Taiwan Strait. "History is calling us again." Whether humanity will move towards war or choose peace may depend on the hands of this generation.

Cheng Li-wen attended the "National Commemoration of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and Celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the Founding of Huang Fu-hsing" event. She stated in her speech that today marks the 89th anniversary of the July 7th Lugou Bridge Incident and the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Huang Fu-hsing Party Department, which holds profound significance. Looking back at history today is not to remember hatred, not to settle scores, but to bravely face history, prevent tragedies from repeating, and allow peace to truly be born.

Cheng Li-wen said that 89 years after the July 7th Incident, what everyone should remember is not just national humiliation, but that Asia was plunged into a hell of war from then on. Not only China, but the entire East Asia, Southeast Asia, and even the Pacific front were drawn into the flames of war. Standing in today's Taiwan, we cannot pretend not to see the dangerous situation in the Taiwan Strait and the world's high concern; nor can we pretend not to know that the regional situation is becoming increasingly tense, from Japan, the Korean Peninsula, the Taiwan Strait to the South China Sea.

Cheng Li-wen stated that what World War II taught Asia is how to avoid brutal war, how to avoid bloodshed again, and how to prevent World War III from erupting in our hands. This is a very significant responsibility for this generation. "History is calling us again." Today, it is not just Taiwan's life and safety, not just the peace and stability across the Strait, but even the future direction of the entire East Asian situation. Whether humanity will move towards self-destructive war or choose sustainable prosperity and peace may depend on the hands of this generation.

Cheng Li-wen mentioned that she recently read the memoir "The River Flows Forever, Unceasingly" by Lin Ching-liang, Taiwan's first female Ph.D. in nuclear physics. Lin Ching-liang wrote about her lifelong hardships, diligence, and strength, which were forged during World War II. Her strong belief that Taiwan must never again be reduced to any form of colony stemmed from her profound experience of Japanese colonial life.

Cheng Li-wen said that her grandfather was conscripted by the Japanese to fight in the Philippines during World War II. Before he took his last breath, he could never forget that the Japanese never compensated them, and they never received justice. Her grandfather's memory, along with Lin Ching-liang's, reminds everyone not to easily forget the bloody history of the past. It is not about remembering hatred, not about letting the legacy of the last war trigger the next war, and even less about letting past tragedies repeat themselves.

Cheng Li-wen stated that on this important historical day, by reviewing history and remembering all the blood, tears, and tragedies of the past, we should let them become strength and opportunity today. She believes that the two sides of the Strait will no longer kill each other, and East Asia must achieve reconciliation and peace. (Editor: Lin Hsing-meng, Wan Shu-chang) 1150707

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