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進入《TAIPEI TIMES 焦點》 Top diplomat joins US commemoration of WWII
Representative to the US Shen Lyu-shun, left, stands to attention while attending a ceremony to mark the end of World War II at the National Mall in Washington. Photo: Nadia Tsao, Taipei Times
/ Staff writer, with CNA
In a highly symbolic move, the nation’s representative to the US attended an event in Washington to commemorate the Allied Forces’ victory in the Pacific and the end of World War II, which the Chinese ambassador refused to attend.
Representative Shen Lyu-shun’s （沈呂巡） attendance was the first time the nation’s top diplomat had been invited to attend similar events in the US after Washington severed diplomatic ties with Taipei.
The V-J 70th Anniversary Commemoration was cohosted by the Friends of the National World War II Memorial and the US National Park Service.
Shen joined World War II veterans and representatives of the US and the Pacific Theater Allies in laying wreaths at the Freedom Wall of the National World War II Memorial on the National Mall.
The wreath, presented by Shen, was decorated with ribbons printed with the Republic of China （ROC） national emblem.
This demonstrates the US’ respect for the ROC and for its historical role in World War II, observers said.
Shen said the national emblem was on the headgear of every ROC soldier during the Second Sino-Japanese War, for which “we feel very glorified.”
Although the treatment received by Taiwan is a bit different from others because it has no diplomatic relations with the US, Taiwan nevertheless was allowed to participate and join other World War II heroes in the event.
“This shows that Americans recognize our commemoration of World War II, the ROC’s participation in World War II and the historical fact of our victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan. It is also an acknowledgment of our contribution, and I’m very touched,” Shen said.
Chinese Ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai （崔天凱） turned down the invitation due to the Taiwanese representative’s presence. However, the Chinese embassy pressured the organizer to remove the words “ROC” from the event.
新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES
