China to commemorate 90th anniversary of September 18th incident
Today marks the 90th anniversary of the Mukden Incident which sparked the beginning of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
China marks the Mukden Incident as its entry point into World War II. This year the date coincides with China’s National Defense Education Day—a day devoted to opening China’s military to the public and educating them on the history of China’s military, with particular emphasis on the patriotism of the Chinese people.
The Chinese Communist Party is building a narrative that highlights China’s long history of unfair treatment by foreign powers, and resilience to foreign aggression through a unified Chinese people. This narrative was used in Hong Kong during their National Security Education Day to acclimate young Hong Kongers to Beijing’s rule.
Expect today’s celebrations, which include the inauguration of a new cross-strait cultural exchange venue, to focus on building a shared Taiwan-China narrative of military history, an attempt to erode cross-strait cultural barriers. Taiwanese want the right to decide between independence and unification, but that right is dependent on the will of the people. Long-term, Beijing’s forced narrative will likely be counteractive to attempts for voluntary reunification as they enflame Taiwan’s feelings of manipulation by Beijing.
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