On Wednesday, China solemnly commemorated the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) and the World Anti-Fascist War, with a military parade and grand gathering in Tian'anmen Square in Beijing.

The occasion was both a tribute to the martyrs who shed blood to defend the country and a reaffirmation of China's determination to safeguard peace and development. Yet, Taiwan leader Lai Ching-te chose the occasion to post on X remarks insinuating that the Chinese mainland was flexing muscles of "aggression" and "expansion". His ill intention was evident.

As Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council spokesperson Chen Binhua pointed out, Lai's rhetoric on such a solemn day was nothing short of outrageous.

But it was par for the course for Lai, who has been tirelessly inciting confrontation across the Taiwan Strait, as well as glorifying the Japanese aggression and colonial rule over Taiwan island, disregarding the immense sacrifices of the Chinese people — including Taiwan compatriots — who resisted the Japanese invaders. Lai's words desecrated the martyrs, betrayed the nation, and hurt the feelings of compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, exposing the true nature of the Taiwan separatist forces.

It is not accidental that Lai and the Democratic Progressive Party authorities seek to whitewash Japan's wartime atrocities. For years, they have tried to erase the memory of Japanese militarist crimes, for the sake of currying favor with Tokyo in exchange for its covert support for their secessionist cause.

This sordid bargain is shamelessly dressed up in the lofty language of defending "peace, freedom and democracy". But what the Lai authorities are really fighting for is their own narrow political interests, not the well-being of the Taiwan people, and certainly not truth and justice.

What the DPP leader has said also betrays his anxiety about the strength and unity displayed by the mainland during the parade. He knows full well that the People's Liberation Army's modernization means "independence by force" is just a fantasy as the evil cause is doomed to fail. Yet, instead of heeding reality, Lai continues to push the island down a perilous path, showing that he has no regard for the welfare of the island's residents.

The secessionist-minded leader's declining political fortunes only add to his desperation. His approval rating has plummeted to a record low recently since taking office, in part because of his submission to Washington's dictates, which has harmed Taiwan's core economic interests. Acting as a US puppet, he has been sacrificing Taiwan's backbone industries and local residents' livelihoods for his geopolitical schemes.

Facing mounting public disappointment, Lai and his authorities have lashed out by blaming "external hostile forces" and imposing a de facto "green terror" on the island to silence dissent, green being the color of the DPP. This exposure of their exhaustion tendency and their penchant for anything but so-called democracy further alienate the Taiwan people, so Lai has had to suspend his "10 lectures on unity" campaign to avoid it becoming a laughingstock.

Lai's unease is also palpable in his attempts to block Taiwan compatriots from attending or even watching the Sept 3 commemorations on the mainland. Yet, Lai and his team must have carefully watched the events, otherwise he would not have made those telling insinuations.

The unity, ambition and capability demonstrated by the mainland were sending a clear message: it has the ability to crush any secessionist attempt and realize national reunification. The historical tide is irresistible. Lai faces a stark choice: peace or conflict, dialogue or confrontation.

Against this backdrop, Lai's distortion of history and open challenge to justice and conscience only isolate him further. His reckless words put him at odds with not only the Chinese people across the Taiwan Strait but also the international consensus forged after World War II that peace must be cherished, and that any attempt to overturn the victory against fascism must be opposed.

The Victory Day military parade of the mainland, and Lai's calling-white-black tricks only serve to show the world which side is striving for peace for the common good of the Chinese nation, and which side is hijacking peace for its own narrow ends.

The contrast could not be clearer. While Beijing commemorates history, honors heroes, and champions peace and cooperation, Lai clings to confrontation, division and historical nihilism. Such behavior places him on the wrong side of history. That will only hasten his isolation in the world.

Justice will prevail, and the people will prevail. No separatist manifesto, no matter how cunningly made for whatever occasion, can alter that course.