‘No losers in peace’: Taiwan’s Ma Ying-jeou sends anti-war message in Beijing
- Island’s former president appeals to younger generations to learn the lessons of history
- Speech at museum is part of an 11-day trip to the Chinese mainland that is expected to include a meeting with Xi Jinping
“People in both the mainland and Taiwan had been bullied by Japanese warlords, and suffered heavy casualties. Although we were lagging behind in terms of equipment and training in a disadvantaged situation, we were united in our determination,” he said in a speech at the Museum of the War of the Chinese People’s Resistance Against Japanese Aggression.
“I have always believed that there are no winners in war and no losers in peace. The mistakes of war may be forgiven, but the truth of history cannot be forgotten.
“We, the younger generation, must remember that historical mistakes must not be repeated … We must learn to resolve disputes peacefully.”
The museum is near Lugou Bridge, also known as Marco Polo Bridge, the site of a battle between the Japanese army and Chinese forces on July 7, 1937.
The incident is regarded as the starting point of Japan’s full-scale war into China’s heartland after its years of occupation of China’s northeast provinces.