Chen Jinlong: The Historical Contribution of the Victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression to Building a Great Power and National Rejuvenation
The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression [1] was the first national liberation struggle in modern history in which the Chinese people achieved a complete victory against foreign invasion. The great victory of this war served as the historical turning point for the Chinese nation, moving from the profound crises of the modern era toward great rejuvenation. Through this war, we gained a deep understanding of the importance of building a strong country and achieving national rejuvenation. National cohesion was strengthened, the Communist Party of China (CPC) reached maturity, and China’s international prestige and status were elevated, laying an essential foundation for building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
National Prosperity and Strength Ultimately Depend on Developing Productive Forces
An important reason Japanese militarism dared to launch a full-scale war of aggression against China in the 1930s was that Japan’s level of development of its productive forces far exceeded that of China during the same period. Through the War of Resistance, the CPC deeply realized the importance of developing productive forces for building a strong country and national rejuvenation. It advocated for the promotion of productive forces through national industrialization, the development of science and technology, and by leveraging the role of intellectuals.
In the modern era, China's backwardness was primarily manifested in the lagging development of its productive forces. The primary condition for achieving national prosperity and national rejuvenation is the development of productive forces. In July 1943, the Jiefang Ribao (Liberation Daily) published an editorial titled "The Communist Party of China and the Chinese Nation" to commemorate the 22nd anniversary of the founding of the CPC. It noted that "to make the nation strong and prosperous, we must, in the final analysis, develop the productive forces," and "the demand to develop productive forces is the driving force of all social evolution." Achieving national strength through the development of productive forces represents an understanding of the laws governing the building of a strong country and national rejuvenation, pointing out a vital direction for progress.
From the perspective of the historical process of world development, industrialization is the key path to building a strong country and national rejuvenation, as it can better drive the development of productive forces. In the view of Comrade Mao Zedong, "The reason for China’s backwardness is mainly the lack of modern industry," and "the reason Japanese imperialism dared to bully China in such a way is precisely because China lacked a powerful industry; it bullied our backwardness." This reveals the reasons why Japan dared to launch a full-scale war from the dimension of industrialization, illustrating its value and significance. Japan embarked on the path of industrialization after the Meiji Restoration and achieved rapid success, providing the economic base and weaponry for its war of aggression. Comrade Mao Zedong emphasized: "To defeat Japanese imperialism, we need industry. To ensure a solid guarantee for China's national independence, we need industrialization. We Communists must strive for China’s industrialization." Industrialization is the foundation for building a strong country and national rejuvenation. Our country's transformation from an agrarian nation to an industrial nation was both a necessity for winning the War of Resistance and an intrinsic requirement for building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
The development of productive forces and national industrialization require the support of science and technology; their development provides the momentum for building a strong country and national rejuvenation. In February 1939, when the first "Technicians' Soiree" was held in Yan'an, Comrade Mao Zedong attended and spoke, emphasizing that "without technical personnel and technical work, we cannot defeat Japanese imperialism, nor can we build a New China." This clarified the role of technical development in both the victory of the War of Resistance and national construction. In August 1941, Comrade Zhu De pointed out in his article "Combining Science with the War of Resistance" that the Chinese nation was in the midst of a great process of "Resistance and National Construction" [2]. He stated, "Whether to achieve victory in the war or success in nation-building, we must rely on science—on social sciences and on natural sciences alike." This illustrated the supporting role of science in achieving victory and building a strong country.
Intellectuals are an indispensable force for building a strong country and national rejuvenation, particularly as industrialization and technological development cannot succeed without them. In March 1937, during a conversation with the American journalist Agnes Smedley, Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out the need to adopt a protective policy toward intellectuals, "treating technical personnel, cultural workers, and artists with favor and respect." In December 1939, in the document "Recruit Large Numbers of Intellectuals," Mao addressed the neglect of intellectuals within the Party and the military at the time. He emphasized that "in the great struggle to build a New China, the Communist Party must be adept at absorbing intellectuals," and through education and the trials of war, enable them to serve the military, the government, and the masses. The CPC's recruitment and cultivation of intellectuals during the War of Resistance prepared a vital force for building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
Consolidating Strength to Fortify the Foundations of Victory and National Power
The full-scale war of aggression launched by Japanese militarism caused an unprecedented crisis for the Chinese nation. To win the War of Resistance, the CPC pushed for the unity of all ethnic groups, political parties, and classes across the country, forming a powerful synergy that fortified the foundation of strength for building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
The cohesion of various political parties. After the outbreak of the full-scale War of Resistance, the CPC actively facilitated the establishment of the Second United Front [3]. On September 22, 1937, the Central News Agency of the Kuomintang (KMT) published the "Declaration of the CPC Central Committee on the Publication of KMT-CPC Cooperation." The following day, Chiang Kai-shek issued a statement effectively recognizing the legal status of the CPC. With this, the Anti-Japanese National United Front was formally established. For a period thereafter, the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army led by the CPC fought alongside the KMT forces. Despite many twists and turns during the Second United Front, the relationship did not break because the CPC adhered to the principle of independence and autonomy, adopting a strategy of "both unity and struggle." Simultaneously, the CPC actively mobilized various democratic parties to join the resistance. These parties extensively carried out anti-Japanese democratic movements, working alongside the CPC to maintain resistance, unity, and progress while opposing the surrender, division, and regression of KMT diehards. The cohesion of various political parties laid the foundation for victory and for the future task of building a strong country.
The cohesion of the entire nation. At the Enlarged Sixth Plenary Session of the Sixth CPC Central Committee, Comrade Mao Zedong called for "uniting all ethnic groups in China to act in concert against Japan." He emphasized that ethnic minorities should have equal rights with the Han people, the right to manage their own affairs under the common principle of resisting Japan, and the right to establish a unified state in union with the Han while respecting the culture, religion, and customs of all minorities. The CPC proposed policies of ethnic equality and unity, joining with ethnic minorities in the common resistance. In April 1940, the Northwest Working Committee of the CPC Central Committee drafted the "Outline on the Issue of the Hui People," and in July, the "Outline on the Issue of the Mongol People during the War of Resistance." These policies resolved historical ethnic issues, promoted national unity, and concentrated the nation's strength. While winning the war, these efforts laid the foundation of national unity for building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
The cohesion of the people nationwide. The people are the creators of history, and the cohesion of their strength was a vital reason for the victory. The CPC adhered to the "comprehensive resistance line," using patriotism to mobilize and organize the people. To meet the people's political demands, the Party emphasized the development of democratic politics, granting various democratic rights and freedoms. To meet their material needs, it emphasized developing production and improving living standards. To meet their spiritual and cultural needs, it emphasized the development of a popular culture suited to the people's requirements. In January 1944, a Jiefang Ribao editorial titled "The Masses Need Spiritual Food" pointed out that "the conditions of being well-fed and well-clothed have increased the cultural demands of the common people... they now further demand abundant spiritual food." It advocated for cultural workers to "turn their eyes downward," learn from the masses, and use the vivid materials of the people’s struggles to create works they needed. In this way, the CPC won the trust and support of the masses, making the people the primary force for building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
The Correct Leadership of the Party as the Mainstay
During the War of Resistance, ethnic and class contradictions were intertwined, and the CPC faced political, economic, cultural, military, and diplomatic challenges. The victory in the war catalyzed the CPC’s growth into maturity, creating the leadership force and the core of leadership for building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
First, the manifestation of leadership status. During the War of Resistance, the CPC, with its outstanding political leadership and correct strategic maneuvers, guided the direction of China's resistance. It played the role of the "mainstay" (中流砥柱) [4] in the national resistance and served as the national vanguard in seizing victory. The practice of leading the war both demonstrated the CPC's leadership status and strengthened its sense of mission. In the report "On Coalition Government," Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out: "Without the efforts of the Communist Party of China, without the Chinese Communists as the mainstay of the Chinese people, China's independence and liberation would be impossible, as would China's industrialization and agricultural modernization." This reflected the CPC's leadership role and demonstrated its sense of mission and responsibility for rejuvenation.
Second, the improvement of leadership capacity. During the War of Resistance, the CPC began planning the construction of a New China. In July 1938, in a talk with a delegation from the World Student Association, Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out that after the victory, the primary task would be "to establish a free and equal democratic state." He outlined the characteristics of this state, emphasizing it would be "China's modern state." Having gone through the war, the CPC’s capacity to lead political, economic, and cultural construction—and its ability to mobilize, organize, and serve the masses—was significantly improved. Notably, a central leadership collective with Comrade Mao Zedong at its core was formed, creating a resilient leadership force for the future.
Third, the growth of leading cadres. During the War of Resistance, the CPC placed great importance on the theoretical study of leading cadres, raising the theoretical level of the entire Party. This task was placed on the practical agenda, significantly elevating the Party's grasp of Marxist theory. Standards for selecting cadres were clarified: they must be loyal to the proletarian cause and the Party, maintain close ties with the masses, be capable of independent decision-making and taking responsibility, and be disciplined. Principles for promoting cadres—prioritizing both integrity and ability with a focus on integrity (德才并重、以德为主) [5]—were also established. These regulations promoted the cultivation of the cadre corps, preparing the backbone force for building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
Maintaining World Peace and Winning International Recognition
Building a strong country and national rejuvenation unfold within a specific international context. The coordination of international relations and the elevation of international status have a profound impact on this process. The victory of the War of Resistance created favorable international conditions for China.
In World War II, the Chinese theater was the first to open and lasted the longest. It was the main theater in the struggle against Japanese fascist aggression and the primary Eastern theater of the World Anti-Fascist War. The heroic resistance of the Chinese people heavily depleted Japan’s military strength and pinned down the majority of its army and significant naval and air forces. This neutralized Japan's "Northern Advance" plan (against the USSR) and delayed its "Southern Advance," relieving pressure on the Soviet Union, the United States, and Great Britain. General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out that the resistance "from the very beginning carried the great significance of saving human civilization and defending world peace." This contribution won China international recognition and support.
In April 1945, the United Nations Conference on International Organization was held in San Francisco. A Chinese delegation, including Dong Biwu as a representative of the Chinese Liberated Areas, attended. China participated in the founding of the UN as a major power and became one of the five permanent members of the UN Security Council. This was a symbol of national status and a new starting point for China in the international community.
The victory of the War of Resistance played a crucial role in ending World War II. Mao Zedong noted in "On Protracted War" that "our War of Resistance is, by its nature, a war for permanent peace." The victory accelerated the historical process of the Chinese revolution and laid a solid foundation for the victory of the New Democratic Revolution [6]. The founding of New China completely ended the history of semi-colonial and semi-feudal society in old China. We achieved national independence and people's liberation, shook off the control of Western powers, and secured a favorable international environment for building a strong country and national rejuvenation.
In conclusion, the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression has had a profound impact on building a strong country and national rejuvenation. Only by examining this victory through a "Big View of History" (大历史观) [7] and situating it within the long river of national rejuvenation can we fully recognize its historical status and role.
(The author is a special researcher at the South China Normal University base of the Guangdong Provincial Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era)
Source: Economic Daily, July 15, 2025, Page 10