Taiwan accuses China of 'cognitive warfare' over postwar anniversary

Taipei hit back at Beijing on Tuesday after Chinese authorities released satellite images of the Taiwanese capital and military propaganda materials to mark the anniversary of Japan's postwar transfer of the island to Chinese rule. Taiwan's defence minister characterised the move as "cognitive warfare," signalling Taipei's concern over what it views as an escalating campaign of psychological pressure from across the Taiwan Strait. The anniversary, commemorated annually by China, remains a point of contention between Beijing and Taipei, with the two sides maintaining competing narratives over the island's political status and historical trajectory. China views the 1945 handover as a restoration of its territorial sovereignty, while Taiwan's government emphasises the island's separate political and military status. The use of satellite imagery and coordinated messaging by Beijing underscores the intensifying information battle between the two sides, as China seeks to reinforce its claims over Taiwan through multiple communication channels. Analysts note such campaigns reflect broader Chinese efforts to shape perceptions and undermine confidence in Taiwan's government among both domestic and international audiences.