Former Vice President Lien Chan has departed for China, where he plans to watch a military parade commemorating the end of WWII. That’s despite the fact that President Ma Ying-jeou has said it’s not appropriate for Lien to attend.
Former Vice President Lien Chan was once the chairman of the ruling Kuomintang (KMT). His decision to attend the Beijing military parade has raised a few eyebrows in Taiwan. Both the ruling and opposition parties oppose Lien’s trip.
The Republic of China government, which relocated to Taiwan in 1949 following the Chinese Civil War, has maintained that the communists played only a minor role in China’s WWII efforts.
No current KMT officials will be attending events held in China to commemorate the war’s end. Many Western leaders have also opted not to attend, for fear that it would be viewed as a sign of support for China’s efforts to build up its military.
Lien did not speak to the media at the airport when departing from Taiwan on Sunday. Instead, former KMT Deputy Secretary-General Chang Jung-kung fielded questions, while protestors unfurled banners and called out slogans urging Lien not to come back to Taiwan.
Chang said that Lien’s dealings with China have always been conducted on the basis of reciprocity and dignity. He said the decision to attend the commemorative events was out of concern for the security and stability of Taiwan. He urged the public to reserve judgment until they see how his trip to Beijing unfolds.