China's massive display of military might rattles nerves of Taiwan, already wary of Beijing's aims
Beijing has increased anxiety and mistrust among island's residents, experts say
Beijing accomplished its goal of bolstering national pride at home with the war anniversary parade, but the event has only increased mistrust across the Taiwan Strait, analysts say.
And with the island gearing up for a presidential election in January, the ruling Kuomintang has been saddled with a vexing problem after former chairman Lien Chan broke with party wishes and attended the celebration in the mainland capital, further denting their chances at the ballot box.
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Lien claimed his visit was aimed at sending a message to mainlanders about the true contribution of the Nationalist forces in driving the Japanese out of China. The Communist Party has long attributed the victory to Mao Zedong's army, minimising the role played by Chiang Kai-shek's soldiers, a revisionism that helps glorify the party but which angers Taiwanese.
President Xi Jinping offered an olive branch, but extended it only so far. In his speech on Thursday morning, Xi sought to cast the war effort as transcending Communist or KMT lines. "With tremendous sacrifice, the Chinese people have made great contribution to the anti-fascist war at the major battlefield in the east," Xi said.
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In a further gesture, Beijing arranged for veterans of the Nationalist forces to be part of the parade. But such moves appeared to have failed to sway many Taiwanese, and the military posturing has only further rattled their nerves, experts say.