China marks 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s 1945 return to Chinese sovereignty, sparking cross-strait dispute.

China is commemorating the 80th anniversary of Taiwan’s 1945 return to Chinese sovereignty, marking the end of 50 years of Japanese colonial rule. Beijing hosted a gathering in the Great Hall of the People and a touring exhibition highlighting resistance efforts during the occupation, emphasizing historical ties and international agreements affirming China’s sovereignty. Taiwan’s government disputes Beijing’s narrative, rejecting the claim that the handover transferred sovereignty to the People’s Republic of China. A bill in Taiwan’s legislature, backed by the Kuomintang, seeks to reinstate October 25 as a public holiday to restore historical memory and counter efforts to sever cross-strait ties.