25 October - Taiwan and Penghu Retrocession Day

 

Taiwan and Penghu Retrocession Day, also known as Double Tenth Day, is a public holiday observed in Taiwan on October 25th each year. It commemorates the end of Japanese colonial rule in Taiwan and the formal handover of Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to the Republic of China (ROC) on October 25, 1945, at the conclusion of World War II.

Key points about Taiwan and Penghu Retrocession Day:

1. End of Japanese Rule: Taiwan had been under Japanese colonial rule from 1895 to 1945, following the Treaty of Shimonoseki, which ended the First Sino-Japanese War. The retrocession marked the end of Japanese colonial administration in Taiwan.

2. Return to Chinese Control: On October 25, 1945, representatives of the Allied forces and the ROC government officially took control of Taiwan and the Penghu Islands from the Japanese. This marked the return of these territories to Chinese sovereignty.

3. Double Tenth: The term "Double Tenth" refers to the date October 10, which is significant in Taiwanese history. It was on October 10, 1911, that the Wuchang Uprising in mainland China began, leading to the fall of the Qing Dynasty and the establishment of the ROC. Therefore, October 10 is celebrated as National Day in Taiwan, and the retrocession day on October 25 is also sometimes referred to as Double Tenth Day.

4. National Celebration: Taiwan and Penghu Retrocession Day is celebrated with various events and activities, including parades, fireworks, cultural performances, and exhibitions. The day is an occasion to celebrate Taiwan's freedom from Japanese colonial rule and its return to Chinese sovereignty, as well as to reflect on Taiwan's complex history and the development of its distinct identity.

While the day is observed as a national holiday in Taiwan, it also reflects the historical complexities of Taiwan's status, as the government of the Republic of China (ROC) retreated to Taiwan after losing the Chinese Civil War to the Chinese Communist Party in 1949. Today, Taiwan's political status is a subject of international debate and diplomatic dispute between various countries, including China.