Remember Sept. 8, 1951
There are many important days in Taiwan's history. However, there probably are no days as important as Sept. 8, 1951.
On that day, the San Francisco Peace Treaty was signed by many countries, in which Japan abandoned its sovereignty claim over Taiwan and the Pescadores (Penghu islands). Before that day Japan still had a legal claim to Taiwan, which had been occupied through the order of US General Douglas MacArthur by Chiang Kai-shek's (蔣介石) Nationalist army since 1945.
Since 1996, the Taiwanese people have exercised their right to local referendums, have held a two general presidential elections and have claimed the nations' independent sovereignty legitimately.
Unlike Hong Kong and Macau, which were leased to Britain and Portugal, Taiwan was ceded to Japan perpetually by China in 1895. Obviously, since then, China has never ruled Taiwan legally, except through occupation, for even one day.
Legally, Taiwan is a sovereign country and its official name is the Republic of China. Taiwan may not be a member of the UN or recognized by most of the countries in the world. However, nobody can deny that Taiwan is indeed a country.
The San Francisco treaty is a powerful legal document that frees the nation from slavery. Taiwanese should celebrate this day and spread the truth to the world.
More importantly, Taiwan should appeal to the UN to rectify its status so the peace across the Taiwan Strait can be maintained for good and the peoples living on both sides can enjoy peace and prosperity like brothers, not like anachronistic enemies.
Yang Ji-charng
Columbus, Ohio
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