In the second episode of the lecture on 2nd September 2023, bestselling author and historian Yu Jie believes that the official historical narratives on both sides of the Taiwan Strait have distorted facts due to “national righteousness.” The reconstruction of power in the occupied areas is quite complex. It is not just a matter of a few morally corrupt puppets hastily established under external powers’ coercion. Wang Jingwei’s peace movement was aimed not only at reestablishing order in the occupied areas and ensuring public safety; more importantly, it was anti-Communist.
If we say Wang Jingwei is a traitor, a collaborator, what did he actually gain from his cooperation with the Japanese? Firstly, Wang did not gain more power. In fact, he had already served as head of state and repeatedly resigned while in the highest position. His intense struggle with Chiang Kai-shek and others was not for personal power, but due to differences in governing strategies. Secondly, Wang Jingwei did not amass greater wealth. Neither Wang Jingwei nor his family were ever involved in any scandals. Wang Jingwei’s wife came from a wealthy family in Southeast Asia. They used their own money to support the revolution, without engaging in corruption after taking office.YU JIE
Watch the entire lecture by clicking here.
