Why Taiwan Is Alarmed About A 1945 Soviet-Era Film Being Screened In Taipei
Russian officials in Taipei held a screening of a 1945 Soviet-era film depicting the defeat of Japan, sparking concern from the Taiwanese government. Officials believe the event is a calculated effort to align with China's narrative regarding Japanese militarism and to create friction between Taiwan and its regional allies.
Why it matters
The incident highlights the use of historical propaganda as a tool for modern geopolitical influence and the ongoing sensitivity of Taiwan-Japan-China diplomatic relations.
In a small meeting room in a downtown Taipei office building, Russian officials hosted an unusual screening of an old Soviet documentary called "Smashing Militarist Japan" for some 20 Taiwanese guests.Despite the small audience, the screening of the 81-year-old film has alarmed Taiwan's government. Russia, it believes, is helping China push its narrative of a rising military threat from Japan, and is seeking to sow discord over Taipei's relations with Tokyo and other Western partners.Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi last year suggested a hypothetical Chinese attack on Taiwan could trigger a Japanese military response, causing a diplomatic crisis between Tokyo and Beijing and prompting repeated warnings from Beijing that Japan is seeking a return to its aggressive past.Officials in Taiwan say they believe the closed-door screening last week of the film by the de facto Russian embassy in Taipei is part of a new effort to spread and bolster China's…
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