The National Museum of Chinese History of the Republic of China (Taiwan) has announced that the diaries of President Chiang Kai-shek and President Chiang Ching-kuo, known as the Diaries of the Two Jiangs, have been made available to the public on a quarterly basis since 2024. On September 30, 2025, the 7th batch of digital files of the Two Jiangs’ diaries was released, comprising 6 annual volumes, 10 volumes, 3,565 documents, and 5,310 digital files for public use.
The museum’s press release stated that at the end of 1941, the Japanese military attacked Pearl Harbor, and the United States officially declared war on Japan. Through the diaries of Chiang Kai-shek from 1942 to 1945, one can gain insights into his observations on the changes in World War II and the international landscape.
From naval battles to bombings, the diaries reflect the evolving nature of the war. In May 1942, Chiang Kai-shek wrote, “The world situation is changing rapidly, with the naval battle between the US and Japan in the South Pacific,” marking the official commencement of naval warfare between the two powers.
In the later stages of the war, records of large-scale bombings began to appear in the diaries. On October 12, 1944, he noted, “Today, the American air fleet bombed Taiwan from 7 am to 3 pm, and the continuous bombing lasted throughout the day.”
During the period of June 17 to 23, 1945, Chiang Kai-shek recorded the intense battle in the Pacific Theater, stating, “The Battle of Okinawa has ended. The Japanese casualties numbered around 90,000, and the American casualties and losses of ships were significant during the 82-day battle.”
The diaries of August 1945 witnessed significant shifts in the warfront. On August 7, a news clipping about the “new weapon atomic bomb” was pasted on the diary page, reporting the bombing of Hiroshima and the ensuing devastation.
Chiang Kai-shek’s diaries during August 5 to 11, 1945, recorded the dropping of the atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki by the US, leading to Japan’s unconditional surrender.
On September 2, 1945, Japan formally surrendered unconditionally to the Allied forces, marking the end of the eight-year-long war against Japan.
One of Chiang Kai-shek’s significant international engagements was the Cairo Conference held in November 1943. This summit provided him with the opportunity to closely observe and interact with world leaders like Roosevelt and Churchill.
In their meeting, Churchill appeared amiable and exceeded Chiang’s previous expectations. The following day, Churchill amusingly conversed with Chiang and his wife, Soong Mei-ling, as vividly described in the diary.
The encounter with Roosevelt left an impression of a profound and politically experienced leader, despite his physical limitations. During a photoshoot, Chiang insisted on taking a position to the right of Roosevelt, showcasing the dynamics between the three leaders.
The core discussions at the conference included territorial issues, notably Chiang’s demand for the return of Northeast China and Taiwan and the Pescadores Islands.
After the conclusion of the Cairo Conference, Chiang Kai-shek returned to China, reflecting on the significance of his participation in international diplomatic affairs.
In late 1949, the Republic of China government relocated to Taiwan, and in early 1950, Chiang Kai-shek resumed his presidency amid some opposition.
The outbreak of the Korean War in June 1950 led to significant developments in US support for Taiwan, as Truman pledged military assistance to South Korea and collaborated with Taiwan to safeguard its interests.
Following the end of World War II, the signing of the San Francisco Peace Treaty in 1951 excluded the Republic of China, provoking strong protests against the treaty’s exclusion of the ROC from the signatory nations.