Why a Russian screening of an 81-year-old Soviet-era film to a tiny audience has alarmed Taiwan
Taiwan officials say the invitation-only event for about 20 guests is part of a Russian effort to amplify China’s warnings about Japan.
- On Sept 11, Russian officials in Taipei hosted a screening of the 1945 Soviet documentary "Smashing Militarist Japan" for 20 guests at a downtown office building, an unusual move given Taiwan's vigilance over foreign influence.
- Taiwanese officials believe the screening supports China's "new militarism" narrative against Japan, aiming to sow discord between Taipei and its unofficial ally Tokyo as Russia and China deepen strategic cooperation.
- Taiwan's National Security Council stated it is "closely monitoring" the situation for "cognitive warfare," warning that the two nations are attempting to "distort historical facts and political issues" to influence Taiwan.
- China's Taiwan Affairs Office dismissed the concerns as "another ploy to manipulate anti-China sentiment for political gain," while Taiwan's foreign ministry stated activities must respect "universal values such as democracy and freedom."
- Taiwan remains on Russia's "unfriendly" list after joining Western sanctions over the Ukraine invasion, with senior Russian officials openly backing China's claims to the democratically governed island.
14 Articles
14 Articles
Russian screening of film on Japan raises questions
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 about 20 Taiwanese guests.Despite the small audience, the screening of the 81-year-old film has alarmed the Taiwanese governme
Why Taiwan Is Alarmed About A 1945 Soviet-Era Film Being Screened In Taipei
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
Kremlin's hybrid offensive against Tokyo: Low-cost, high-reward, risk-free
The screening of an old documentary by Russian officials in front of a tiny audience in Taipei would not normally generate headlines in Tokyo, but against the backdrop of ongoing Russian power plays in Northeast Asia, it did exactly that.
Taiwan has been angered by Russian officials who held a private screening of the 81-year-old Soviet documentary The Defeat of Militaristic Japan in Taipei last week. The Taiwanese government says it is evidence that Moscow is siding with China and supporting its narrative that Japan is once again a military threat.
Film Screening Fuels East Asian Historical Tensions
A recent Russian diplomatic film screening in Taiwan highlighted Japanese 'militarism' and World War Two, raising concerns in Taiwan about Russia's support of China's narrative of a Japanese military threat. The event underscores differing views on East Asia's wartime history, involving Russia, China, and Taiwan's distinct perspectives.
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