The Taiwan Civil Government (TCG), an educational and advocacy organization based in Taiwan, held a press conference to call upon the United States and the Republic of China (ROC) authorities to sign a new treaty resolving outstanding issues from World War II and addressing the international recognition of Taiwan.
The Secretariat Cabinet Minister Shangfong Lin released a written statement outlining the TCG’s position that the US-led coalition defeated the Japanese Empire (including Taiwan and Penghu) during World War II, and therefore continues to be the sole and best solution towards Taiwan’s sovereignty.
The TCG points out that on September 2, 1945, Allied Commander General MacArthur appointed Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek to represent the Allied forces in accepting the surrender of the Japanese military. On October 25, 1945, ROC occupied Taiwan and Penghu, which it has done ever since.
The TCG further explained that on September 8, 1951, 48 countries signed the San Francisco Peace Treaty (SFPT) with Japan, which included several provisions on Taiwan, including the following Article:
Article 23: The United States of America is the principal occupying Power of Japan (including Taiwan, Penghu).
Notably, the ROC did not sign the SFPT, and therefore Taiwan was in anarchy, the TCG explained. According to the laws of war, a Taiwanese government must be established by the people of the occupied territories. The ROC, as an agent of the United States, did not help the Taiwanese people establish a Taiwanese government; therefore violating the laws of war by establishing the Taiwan Chief Executive Office.
A recent diplomatic conversation illustrates the TCG’s argument. In a November 14, 2018 meeting, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President Vladimir Putin, expressed that Japan and Russia will elevate their mutual trust and resolve the territorial disputes stemming from a post WWII “joint declaration” in 1956. In dispute are four islands referred to as the Northern Territories by Japan and the Southern Kuriles by Russia. One key issue in Russia returning the islands to Japan is that no U.S. military bases will be built on the islands. Abe and Putin stressed that while World War ll ended more than 70 years ago, they recognize the outstanding territorial issues, and, they should be resolved and not left for future generations to address.
Similarly, Formosa (Taiwan) and the ROC were both participants in World War ll. It has been 73 years since the end of that war, but no Peace Treaty has been signed between the US, ROC and TCG, regarding Taiwan’s sovereignty. The TCG argued it must be resolved now to avoid leaving this problem to future generations.
At the press conference, the TCG appealed to the United States, the principal occupying Power, that TCG should sign a war-ending agreement and peace treaty with Kinmen and Matsu’s ROC to conclude World War II, bringing peace to Taiwan and the world.
For more information, visit www.taiwancivilgovernment.com
SOURCE Taiwan Civil Government
