Wang Binglin: Organization is the Source of Strength for Victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression
The Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was the first great struggle for national liberation in modern times in which the Chinese people achieved a complete victory. That China was able to engage in and triumph in this unprecedented national war of resistance was due to the vital role played by the unprecedented awakening of the Chinese people and the cohesive force of the Chinese nation in uniting to resist foreign aggression. It can be said that "getting organized" was the source of strength for the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. On the occasion of the 80th anniversary of this victory, an in-depth analysis of how and why the Chinese nation got organized, as well as the practical inspirations derived therein, will not only allow us to understand this period of history more profoundly but also provide precious experience and wisdom for consolidating the majestic force needed to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.
Getting Organized Built a Solid System for National Resistance
In On Protracted War, Mao Zedong pointed out sharply: "The main reason why Japan dares to bully us is the unorganized state of the Chinese masses." The great War of Resistance awakened a sense of crisis and mission across the entire nation; the Chinese nation achieved unprecedented unity, stimulating invincible courage and strength.
In terms of political organization, the Anti-Japanese National United Front advocated by the Communist Party of China (CPC) encompassed all ethnic groups, classes, parties, social organizations, and patriotic figures across the country, as well as compatriots in Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan, and overseas Chinese. It coalesced forces with different political stances and economic interests. In the various anti-Japanese base areas led by the CPC, "three-thirds system" [1] governments were established, extensively uniting all anti-Japanese classes and strata and mobilizing all positive factors for the war effort. This gave concrete institutional form to the Anti-Japanese National United Front and consolidated the political foundation of the base areas. In July 1938, the National Political Council (国民参政会) was formally established, providing a venue for representatives of various anti-Japanese parties and groups to publicly voice opinions and exchange ideas; it also became an important front for the CPC to maintain the Anti-Japanese National United Front. Various democratic parties actively threw themselves into the resistance; for instance, the China Democratic League organized members for propaganda and fundraising, while the China Vocational Education Society (中华职业教育社) leveraged its influence to mobilize people from all walks of life to provide material and technical support for the war.
In terms of military organization, the Chinese military constructed a flexible and diverse combat system based on the war situation and its own characteristics. The Kuomintang (KMT) forces resisted the Japanese army on the frontal battlefield, while the CPC-led Eighth Route Army and New Fourth Army opened the behind-the-enemy-lines battlefield, forming a strategic posture of pincer attacks from two battlefields. The people’s army led by the CPC fully utilized the advantages of guerrilla warfare. The 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army launched an ambush at Pingxingguan, shattering the myth of "Japanese invincibility" in one stroke and greatly boosting the confidence of the nation’s soldiers and civilians. Throughout long-term guerrilla warfare, the people's army created various flexible and mobile tactics such as landmine warfare, tunnel warfare, and "sparrow warfare" [2]. Taking landmine warfare as an example, in 1943 alone, militias in the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Anti-Japanese Base Area used mines to kill or wound over 2,800 Japanese and puppet troops. Simultaneously, the people's army focused on establishing and developing anti-Japanese base areas, integrating military struggle with base-area construction. These areas became stable rears for persisting in the war and strategic fulcrums for guerrilla operations. This military organizational system—combining regular warfare with guerrilla warfare and military struggle with base-area construction—effectively leveraged the strengths of the Chinese military and submerged the Japanese army in the "vast ocean of a people's war."
In terms of economic organization, a wartime system was established nationwide to exercise comprehensive control over the operation of the national economy. A group of important factories and enterprises in coastal and riverine regions moved inland, accelerating the economic development of the Southwest and Northwest rears, which had previously lacked an industrial base; this played a vital role in supporting the continued resistance. In various base areas, the policy of "reducing rent and interest" [3] was generally implemented, which diminished feudal exploitation, liberated rural productive forces, and improved the lives of the peasantry, thereby stimulating their enthusiasm for the war. The Great Production Movement [4] was widely carried out across the base areas, easing the burden on the people and improving the lives of both soldiers and civilians. In November 1943, at a reception for labor heroes in the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region, Mao Zedong delivered the important speech "Get Organized," profoundly discussing the significance of organizing the masses into a "labor army." This further awakened the political consciousness of the working masses and promoted the deep development of mass organizational work.
In terms of mass organization, the CPC went deep into rural and urban areas to extensively mobilize the masses, establishing various anti-Japanese groups. In the countryside, Peasants' Associations, Women's National Salvation Associations, and Children's Corps were formed to mobilize farmers to join the army or support the front lines. By 1940, the Shanxi-Chahar-Hebei Border Region alone had over 1.3 million members in various anti-Japanese groups, including over 100,000 members of the Youth Anti-Japanese Vanguard who took on duties such as standing guard and delivering intelligence. The Women’s National Salvation Federation in the Shandong Base Area organized women to make military shoes and uniforms; in 1943 alone, they produced 1.5 million pairs of shoes and 500,000 uniforms. In the cities, the working class struck at the economic plunder of the Japanese invaders through strikes and slowdowns while organizing to provide material production and transport support. Students everywhere established propaganda teams, going into streets and villages to spread anti-Japanese salvation ideas through speeches and performances. Various National Salvation Associations united social forces—those with money contributing money, those with strength contributing strength—to provide funding and materials. Overseas Chinese worldwide got organized and established salvation groups, donating massive amounts of wealth in diverse forms and organizing service corps, such as medical teams, to return and participate in the war, fully demonstrating their profound patriotism. These various groups coalesced scattered individual strengths into a powerful torrent of resistance, causing the Japanese invaders to sink into the vast ocean of a people's war and head toward eventual defeat and destruction.
The CPC was the Active Advocate and Staunch Maintainer of Getting Organized
The victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was achieved through the extremely arduous struggle and heavy sacrifices of the people of all ethnic groups. The reason the crisis of national extinction was able to awaken such a massive national consciousness was that the CPC played the role of a "mainstay" (中流砥柱) through its firm national stance, correct political propositions, extraordinary wisdom in struggle, and powerful exemplary actions.
The CPC actively advocated for and worked to establish and maintain the Anti-Japanese National United Front based on KMT-CPC cooperation, which became the winning magic weapon for maximizing the mobilization of the national population. After the September 18th Incident in 1931, amidst the deepening national crisis, the CPC—representing the interests of the Chinese nation and the aspirations of the people—immediately issued declarations and resolutions, taking the lead in raising the banner of armed resistance. On September 20, 1931, the CPC Central Committee issued the Declaration of the CPC on the Forced Occupation of the Three Northeastern Provinces by Japanese Imperialism, calling on the people to arm themselves against aggression. In 1935, the Party issued the "August 1st Declaration" and the Manifesto on Resisting Japan and Saving the Nation, calling for an end to the civil war to unite against Japan. In 1936, the CPC facilitated the peaceful resolution of the Xi'an Incident, laying the foundation for the United Front. After the July 7th Incident, at a moment of life or death for the nation, the CPC stood at the forefront, fighting firmly for national interests and calling on all compatriots, the government, and the military to unite and build a "solid Great Wall" of the National United Front. The CPC Central Committee sent Zhou Enlai and others to negotiate with the KMT, delivering the CPC Central Committee Declaration on the Announcement of KMT-CPC Cooperation. The establishment of the United Front opened a new chapter in the national war of resistance. People of all ethnic groups, democratic parties, and patriotic personages were heartened by the renewed cooperation and joined the United Front in various forms. Within the United Front, the CPC adhered to the principle of "independence and initiative," implementing the policy of "developing the progressive forces, winning over the middle forces, and isolating the die-hard forces" [5]. While persisting in unity with the KMT, the CPC conducted "struggle with good reason, with advantage, and with restraint" [6] against the KMT's anti-communist and capitulationist activities. By actively advocating, facilitating, and maintaining the United Front, the CPC became the outstanding organizer and inspirer of national strength.
The scientific theories and exemplary actions of the CPC served as the guide for action and the strong guarantee for getting organized. Chinese communists, with Comrade Mao Zedong as their chief representative, created and developed the scientific theory of Mao Zedong Thought, providing critical ideological and strategic guidance. In 1938, Mao summarized the experience since the start of the national resistance in his famous speech On Protracted War, systematically clarifying the Party's strategic policy of protracted warfare. He pointed out that victory required persistence in a long war and proposed a set of feasible methods to mobilize the masses, weaken the enemy's advantages, and grow our own strength, which greatly enhanced the people's determination. From late 1939 to early 1940, Mao published works like Introducing "The Communist", The Chinese Revolution and the Chinese Communist Party, and On New Democracy, providing a complete discourse on New Democratic Theory. This allowed Party members and the masses to see the laws and prospects of the Chinese revolution clearly, boosting confidence. Throughout the war, the CPC adhered to the "Line of Total Resistance," went deep behind enemy lines, mobilized the masses, established base areas, and conducted guerrilla warfare, making immense sacrifices. The fearless heroism and self-sacrifice shown by CPC members in the war effectively raised the level of national awakening and organization. Although the CPC did not yet hold national power, its correct lines, principles, and policies had a major impact across the country. The CPC was the staunchest defender of national interests, becoming the "strong core" of united resistance and the "backbone" (主心骨) for organizing the masses.
The CPC inherited and promoted fine traditional Chinese culture, awakening national consciousness and serving as a spiritual bond for getting organized. Fine traditional Chinese culture is the spiritual bedrock formed throughout history; its rich connotations, such as "sentiments of home and country" (家国情怀) and "ceaseless self-improvement" (自强不息), are unique spiritual markers of the Chinese nation and a bond for Chinese people worldwide. The CPC adopted diverse activities to inherit this culture. The Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor is the burial site of Xuanyuan Huangdi, the ancestor of the Chinese nation; it symbolizes the beginning of civilization and the long-standing spirit of the nation. On Qingming Festival in 1937, both the CPC and the KMT sent representatives to pay respects. Mao Zedong personally wrote the sacrificial oration, calling for "solid unity among all parties and circles... regardless of military or civilian, rich or poor... the national front is the recipe for saving the nation; let the four hundred million resist determinedly." After the outbreak of the total war of resistance, the Chinese cultural and educational circles, with high patriotic passion and using traditional culture as a spiritual resource, created numerous plays, films, and songs to awaken and organize the masses. For example, works such as Xian Xinghai’s Yellow River Cantata and Tian Han’s lyrics for March of the Volunteers stimulated national passion with their stirring melodies. Faculty and students of the National Southwestern Associated University trekked 3,000 kilometers to relocate and keep the "cultural fire" alive during the war. This spirit of linking personal fate closely with the fate of the nation provided a powerful spiritual impetus for motivating the people to organize and persist in the resistance.
Contemporary Inspirations from Getting Organized to Build the Monument of Victory
During the arduous years of the War of Resistance, the Chinese people, with unimaginable resilience and wisdom, gathered scattered individual forces into a "steel torrent" to resist foreign enemies. This great practice of organizing the entire population built the monument of victory and left behind precious spiritual wealth and profound inspirations for today.
Upholding the leadership of the Party is the fundamental guarantee for coalescing consensus. The great victory of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression fully proved that the Communist Party of China (CPC), through its firm will, exemplary actions, and selfless dedication, won the trust and support of the people nationwide, becoming the "pillar of strength" [7] in unifying the entire nation for the resistance. It was precisely the cohesive force of this leadership core that enabled all classes and parties to set aside their differences and confront the national crisis together. On the New Journey, only by adhering to the CPC’s comprehensive leadership can we consolidate and develop the broadest possible patriotic united front, pooling the wisdom and strength of people of all ethnic groups across the country to jointly advance the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. General Secretary Xi Jinping emphasized: "The Party’s strength comes from organization. The Party’s comprehensive leadership and all its work must be realized through a robust organizational system." Building an organizational system that is vertically integrated and executes forcefully is the key guarantee for solidarity and collaboration; it allows disparate forces to be gathered into a powerful synergy.
The vanguard and exemplary role of Party members is a powerful force for mobilizing the masses. During the War of Resistance, Chinese Communists consistently took national liberation as their personal responsibility, serving as pioneers and models, and becoming a powerful cohesive force for organizing the masses. On the New Journey, only if Chinese Communists have the courage to step forward and take responsibility can they, through practical action, inspire the broad masses to contribute their strength to national development and social progress. The power of a role model is infinite. When Communist Party members play their vanguard and exemplary role, they create a tremendous demonstration effect among the masses, forming a powerful appeal and cohesive force. Communist Party members are the cells of the Party’s body; they must maintain close ties with the masses and serve as the bond connecting the Party organization with the people. For the vast majority of Party members, and especially leading officials, adhering to "leading by example" [8] and "leading from the top" [9] in all aspects is an effective method of leadership and work. By inheriting and carrying forward the spirit of responsibility, and by taking the lead and setting an example, Party officials can truly organize the masses and form a powerful force to promote social development.
The national spirit, with patriotism at its core, is the powerful engine driving us forward. Fine traditional Chinese culture is the spiritual lifeblood of the Chinese nation, and the spirit of patriotism has become a powerful spiritual force uniting the people of the whole country. The victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was a great victory for the national spirit centered on patriotism. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the Chinese people, during the magnificent course of the War of Resistance, gave rise to the Great Resistance Spirit, demonstrating to the world a patriotic sentiment of "everyone bears responsibility for the rise and fall of the nation," [10] a national integrity of "facing death with equanimity and preferring death to surrender," a heroic spirit of "defying brutal force and fighting to the bitter end," and a conviction of victory characterized by "unyielding perseverance and tenacity." In the New Era, we must vigorously promote the spirit of patriotism, using the spirit of the times to activate the vitality of fine traditional Chinese culture and promote its creative transformation and innovative development. We must integrate this into the cultivation and practice of Socialist Core Values, strengthen patriotic publicity and education through various channels, and stimulate the national pride and patriotic sentiment of all people. By continuously enhancing national cohesion and centripetal force, we will gather strength with firmer confidence and more spirited morale to comprehensively advance the building of a strong country and the great cause of national rejuvenation through Chinese-path modernization.
(Author: Wang Binglin, Specially Invited Researcher at the Beijing Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and Dean of the Institute of CPC History and Party Building at Beijing Normal University) Source: Guangming Daily, July 30, 2025, Page 11 Web Editor: Tongxin