World War II

China’s forgotten role in shaping Japan’s pacifist constitution

Japan’s Constitution is set to mark its 80th anniversary in 2027 as debate over revision gains momentum. Yet Article 9 remains sensitive, with war-renunciation and armed forces limits still central to national consensus and contention, says Japanese academic Shin Kawashima.

Shin Kawashima

[Photos] Returning Zhu Feng: The long journey of a CCP secret agent’s remains

In the years after the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) came to power in mainland China, the Kuomintang (KMT) launched an extensive political purge in Taiwan that became known as the White Terror. The KMT hunted down and executed dissenters, including CCP spies, in an attempt to consolidate power. Today, the stories of the White Terror’s victims are slowly emerging. Taiwanese historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao, who played a significant role in uncovering these forgotten experiences, tells us more about the dark chapter of Taiwan’s history.

Hsu Chung-mao

Israel’s great power playbook is tempting Taiwan’s leaders

Israel has long turned great power rivalry into strategic leverage. Taiwan’s leaders now appear tempted by the same logic. But applying Israel’s playbook in East Asia could distort deterrence — and make Taipei the testing ground for escalation, cautions academic Ma Haiyun.

Ma Haiyun

Who won the Taiwan call game? How the three leaders took what they wanted

Takaichi, Trump and Xi each walked away with political wins, shaping narratives to their advantage. The US holds influence over Japan’s choices, while China quietly advances its legal and strategic positioning. Lianhe Zaobao’s associate China news editor Sim Tze Wei gives an analysis.

Sim Tze Wei

[Photos] The Shandong ‘model’: A trailblazer in China’s history [Eye on Shandong series]

Shandong often played the role of a trailblazer, in more ways than one. The province was a central part of major turning points in Chinese history, and for historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao, the place holds fond memories of his first books published in mainland China.

Hsu Chung-mao

[Photos] From Taiwan to South Korea: Remembering WWII without spectacle

While the world’s attention is on Beijing’s grand military parade marking the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII, Hsu Chung-mao commemorates the occasion with photo exhibits — one in Taiwan with Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an and another in South Korea with former President Moon Jae-in — small, ground-up events that are just as meaningful.

Hsu Chung-mao

Ishiba: The ‘flawed’ leader Japan clings to

Following Shigeru Ishiba’s failure to win a majority in the House of Councillors election in July, his future is in doubt as to how long he can hold on, amid bumps with tariff negotiations with the US, as well as domestic challenges such as handling Japan’s WWII legacy. Academic Toh Lam Seng analyses the situation.

Toh Lam Seng

Xi’s world is already here

China’s 3 September military parade was more than a mere display of might, says academic Alessandro Arduino. It was a carefully orchestrated affirmation of Xi Jinping’s power, and a signal to global rivals that China is a force to be reckoned with.

Alessandro Arduino

China’s unfinished battle: Why Beijing can’t let go of Japan’s past

China’s struggle to move past historical trauma with Japan reveals deeper challenges in perception. Misconceptions must be separated from culture, history from present, emotion from reason, says commentator Wei Da. Time and civilisation demand that former mortal enemies learn to look beyond hatred, rebuild friendship and pursue lasting development. 

Wei Da

80 years later, Japan still can’t agree on how to remember WWII

As this year marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, all eyes are on whether Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba will issue a statement, as his predecessors did. Japanese academic Shin Kawashima looks at the prospects.

Shin Kawashima

[Photos] Turning pages with Moon Jae-in: A Taiwanese publisher’s unexpected encounter

The launch of a Taiwan-produced photo book themed around Korea in Seoul drew much local media attention and even caught the eye of former South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Historical photo collector Hsu Chung-mao shares the story behind publishing this World War II-era Korean photo collection, and how it sparked a memorable encounter.

Hsu Chung-mao

Cambodia’s scars: Xi’s visit stirs Khmer Rouge memories

It seems as though everyone has forgotten about Cambodia’s past, from its rich pre-communist history to the bloody Khmer Rouge period, laments conservative Hong Kong commentator Chip Tsao. He tells us why it is important to remember the history of Cambodia.

Chip Tsao