Taiwan’s Thin Skin: What Does a Soviet-Era Film Really Reveal?

The Taiwanese government is incensed over a screening of an 81-year-old Soviet documentary, “The Defeat of Militarist Japan”, at the Russian embassy in Taipei. The film features grainy black-and-white footage of the Soviet attack on Japanese-occupied Manchuria and the Kuril Islands. Taiwan’s officials quickly labeled this as part of China’s push against Japan, but a closer examination reveals more complexity.

The screening was an invitation-only event, but its implications are far-reaching. The denunciation of Japanese militarism and atrocities against Chinese civilians in the film is certainly provocative, but it’s not just about the film itself. Taiwan has laws to prevent hostile foreign forces from influencing its politics, yet this screening seems to have slipped through the cracks.

Taiwan’s government accuses Russia of helping China spread disinformation and sow discord over Taipei’s relations with Tokyo and other Western partners. However, is this really about Russia pushing China’s narrative? Or are we seeing a more nuanced play here?

Historically, Taiwan has walked a tightrope between its relationships with Japan and China. As a key unofficial ally of Taipei, Japan’s engagement on economic and security issues has been crucial in balancing out Beijing’s influence. But this delicate balance is under threat from both China’s “new militarism” push and Russia’s increasing involvement in the region.

Russia’s decision to show an 81-year-old Soviet film may seem like a quaint anachronism, but it speaks volumes about Moscow’s regional ambitions. The joint statement by China and Russia warning against remilitarization in the Asia-Pacific just last month reveals a clear pattern: these two countries are creating a new narrative for the region.

For Taiwan, this is a worrying development. With its economy heavily dependent on trade with China, it’s no wonder that Taipei wants to ensure stable relationships with other countries. However, as Russia becomes more emboldened in its regional efforts, we’re seeing a shift towards cognitive warfare – manipulating narratives to suit each country’s interests.

Taiwan’s National Security Council is monitoring Chinese-Russian military and “cognitive warfare” cooperation closely, but the government needs to reassess what this really means. Is Russia truly just helping China push its narrative, or are we seeing something more complex at play? The Russian office in Taipei hopes to organize similar events in the future, which demands caution.

It’s time for Taiwan to stop playing the victim and start taking a harder look at what’s really going on. Instead of getting worked up over Soviet-era films, perhaps it should focus on building stronger relationships with other countries in the region – ones that aren’t beholden to China’s interests. If Taiwan wants to survive in this increasingly complex world, it needs to think critically about its own role in regional politics.

The screening of “The Defeat of Militarist Japan” may have been a closed-door event, but the implications are far-reaching and demand attention. As Russia becomes more involved in the region, we’re seeing a new kind of geopolitics emerge – one that’s all about creating and manipulating narratives to suit each country’s interests.

Taiwan needs to wake up to this reality and start playing its own game – not just reacting to China’s moves, but shaping the narrative itself.