From Cairo to Taipei

In November 1943, the leaders of China, the United States, and Great Britain reached a consensus at the Cairo Conference, declaring that "all territories Japan has stolen from the Chinese, such as Manchuria, Formosa, and the Pescadores, shall be restored to the Republic of China." Although not a formal treaty, this declaration became the political foundation for post-war territorial rearrangement in East Asia.

After Japan announced its surrender on August 15, 1945, Supreme Allied Commander MacArthur issued General Order No. 1, designating Chiang Kai-shek to accept the surrender of Japanese forces in Taiwan on behalf of the Allies. On October 25 of the same year, Chen Yi presided over the surrender ceremony at Taipei Public Hall, marking the beginning of ROC rule over Taiwan. However, whether this "acceptance of surrender" constituted a transfer of sovereignty or merely military occupation remains contested to this day.

This volume focuses on key diplomatic documents and international conference records from 1943 to 1945, revealing how Taiwan's post-war fate was determined amid great power politics. From the Cairo Declaration and the Potsdam Proclamation to the MacArthur Memorandum, each document shaped the future trajectory of millions of Taiwanese people.