China yesterday commemorated the 60th anniversary of the recovery of Taiwan from Japanese colonial rule, with a pledge to firmly oppose any "independence" move on the island.

Historical facts "indisputably" prove that Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory, Jia Qinglin, chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, said at a celebratory gathering in Beijing.

Actresses perform Tuesday during a big gathering in Beijing in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the recovery of Taiwan from Japanese colonial rule. [Xinhua]
 
"Taiwan returned to the motherland 60 years ago both de facto and de jure," Jia said. It is an "undeniable" fact and the "legal status of Taiwan as an inalienable part of China's territory is beyond doubt, and can never be challenged."

Taiwan was ceded to Japan in 1895 under the Treaty of Shimonoseki, signed by the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) government.

The island reclaimed its Chinese identity on October 25, 1945 after the end of World War II.

Four years later, the former ruling Kuomintang party fled to the island after losing a civil war, and Taiwan and the mainland split.

The Taiwan "independence" forces, however, have been seeking to permanently separate the island from China.

The secessionists have not given up their attempt, Jia said, adding that the situation is still "very serious and complicated."

According to Jia, the secessionist activities of the "Taiwan independence" forces are currently the biggest threat and barrier to peaceful and stable development of cross-Straits relations.

"Compatriots on both sides of the Straits are urged to firmly oppose the separatist forces," Jia said.

In his speech, Jia reiterated that Beijing is open to talks with Taipei based on the "1992 consensus" which agrees on the one-China principle.

"We appeal that dialogue and negotiations between the two sides of the Straits resume on the basis of the 1992 consensus as soon as possible to enhance common understanding and solve problems through consultation," Jia said. "We are willing to talk to any person or any political party (from the island) on any issue."

Zhou Qing, a researcher at the Institute of Taiwan Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences who witnessed Taiwan's return to China, recalled that when Japan announced an unconditional surrender on August 15, 1945, all Taiwan people, young and old, swarmed onto the streets to celebrate.

"The commemoration today helps us remember those who lost lives in the fight against Japanese colonialists. It also helps us to be on alert against resurgence of Japanese militarism and prevent secessionist activities of 'Taiwan independence' forces," Zhou said.

The People's Daily said in a front-page editorial that "Taiwan has never been a country but is, instead, an inalienable part of Chinese territory."

Editor: Yan