Historical Studies (Chinese Edition)

No.4, 2015

The Key to the Victory of the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression Was the Correct Ideological and Political Line of the CPC

(Abstract)

Li Shenming and Zhang Shunhong

The CPC played a pivotal role in winning victory in the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression. During the war it established and carried out a correct political line by advocating close reliance on the broad masses and resolutely waging a war of national resistance; actively promoting, establishing and maintaining the Anti-Japanese National United Front; launching independent mountain guerrilla warfare and, when conditions permitted, mobile warfare, and establishing bases behind enemy lines; and correctly carrying the intra-Party struggle and strengthening Party building. The Party’s correct ideological line laid the foundation for its correct political line. In a semi-colonial and semi-feudal China, the CPC was keenly aware that its historical task was first of all to win victory for the New Democratic Revolution and to grasp the main issue China was facing, i.e. the contradiction between Japanese imperialism and the Chinese nation. CPC members had an advanced proletarian worldview and sense of values, as well as the spirit of making sacrifices for their country, their people and the cause of Communism. By contrast, the Kuomintang government ultimately lost the support of the people as it adopted a policy of “non-resistance” in the September 18th Incident and then lost ground time after time on the frontline battlefield; undertook a partial resistance against the Japanese forces but then actively fought against the CPC; made compromises with and concessions to the Japanese government; conspired to surrender to Japan; and fostered pervasive corruption within the KMT. The history of the victory of the War of Resistance tells us that the CPC must always stick to the correct ideological and political lines, rely on the broad masses, and grasp the main contradiction and its laws. The whole Party, especially the leading officials, must preserve the intellectual approach and working style of arduous struggle and being honest and upright, as well as standing firmly for correct ideals and beliefs.