Wang Han, Zhou Qian: The Shaping of China's International Image During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression
General Secretary Xi Jinping has pointed out: "The great victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression re-established China's status as a major power in the world; the Chinese people won the respect of peace-loving people worldwide, and the Chinese nation earned a lofty national reputation." This great victory profoundly altered the future and destiny of the Chinese nation, comprehensively launching a new historical journey of an ancient China undergoing "nirvana through fire" [1] and being reborn from the ashes. During this period, China actively voiced its positions in the international arena of public opinion, playing a vital role in securing support and assistance from the international community.
Presenting the True Image of the War of Resistance to the International Community
By demonstrating the will to resist to the international community and conveying authentic information and a positive image of China’s struggle, China enabled the international community to recognize more clearly that the War of Resistance was not only a struggle for national liberation—protecting the home, defending the country, and upholding sovereignty—but also a righteous cause for maintaining world peace and development.
British Prime Minister Winston Churchill provided an objective assessment of the role, status, and strategic value of China’s War of Resistance: "If China collapses, at least fifteen, and perhaps twenty, Japanese divisions will be released"; if Japan advanced into the Indian Ocean, it "would inevitably lead to the collapse of our entire position in the Middle East," and "to let the Germans and Japanese join hands in India or the Middle East would involve a catastrophe of measureless proportions to the Allied cause." French President Charles de Gaulle held a highly affirmative attitude toward China’s role in the World Anti-Fascist War, viewing China and France as anti-fascist allies and partners for peace. The speeches by these two political leaders powerfully corroborated the justice and national character of China's struggle, deeply interpreting the immense sacrifices made and the great spirit demonstrated by the Chinese people during the War of Resistance.
In December 1937, the American officer Evans Carlson wrote in a letter to U.S. officials: "The Eighth Route Army [2] never harasses the people, consciously observes discipline, is strict with itself, and never trifles with women; it is the most restrained army I have ever seen. This seemingly incredible phenomenon is the result of education and effective organization." He further evaluated the Eighth Route Army’s political work as the most important factor in winning military operations. The Japanese historian Kiyoshi Inoue once remarked: "In the Second World War, Japan was defeated not only by the United States but even more miserably by China—correctly speaking, by the Chinese people." The famous American journalist Anna Louise Strong traveled deep into the anti-Japanese base areas many times, recording in detail the heroic deeds of the soldiers and civilians under the leadership of the Communist Party of China (CPC). She presented the world with the tenacious fighting spirit and conviction in victory of the Chinese people under harsh conditions, arguing that the anti-Japanese forces led by the CPC were a crucial guarantee of victory and made significant contributions to the World Anti-Fascist War. These foreign officers, scholars, and journalists objectively depicted the true face of China’s resistance from various perspectives, praising the spirit and contributions of the Chinese military and people. They played an indispensable role in winning international sympathy, support, and aid, as well as elevating China’s international status and influence.
Stimulating the Vitality of Chinese Culture as a Vehicle for Enhancing International Influence
By stimulating cultural vitality and relying on forms such as cultural exhibitions, artistic performances, and academic exchanges, China showcased its cultural treasures, traditional arts, literary works, and philosophical thoughts to the international community. This allowed the world to more comprehensively understand the unique charm and profound heritage of Chinese culture, laying a solid cultural foundation for shaping a positive image of China in the international media and increasing international understanding and support for China’s War of Resistance.
From November 1935 to March 1936, China sent nearly a thousand national-level cultural relics to the United Kingdom for the "International Exhibition of Chinese Art" in London. These items, including bronzes, paintings, calligraphy, and ceramics, were being shown abroad for the first time and attracted 420,000 visitors from around the world. This was the first time China’s national treasures had been exhibited overseas, powerfully demonstrating the unique charm and deep roots of Chinese culture. The exhibition not only sparked a long-lasting "Chinese art fever" in Europe and America but also won wide sympathy and support for China's resistance in the international community. From January 1940 to June 1941, under an agreement between China and the Soviet Union's All-Union Society for Cultural Relations with Foreign Countries, 1,900 works of art from the Palace Museum and private Chinese collections were exhibited in Moscow and Leningrad, creating a sensation for Chinese culture. These exhibitions not only showcased cultural charm but also revealed the spiritual outlook of the Chinese people amidst the environment of war, playing a significant role in shaping a positive image of China in international public opinion.
During this period, the Chinese Peking Opera artist Mei Lanfang performed on many international stages. With his exquisite performances and unique artistic style, he won widespread international acclaim, contributing actively to the shaping of China's image. In particular, his 1930 tour of the United States garnered significant attention, with several authoritative media outlets providing extensive coverage. In 1939, with the support of the Buddhist community in Macau, the Lingnan School [3] painter Gao Jianfu and his disciples held an anti-war art exhibition. These paintings denounced the atrocities of the Japanese invaders and stimulated the sympathy of Macau compatriots for China’s struggle. In the same year, Gao Jianfu and his disciples held an anti-war exhibition at the University of Hong Kong, which resonated strongly with Hong Kong society and stimulated the patriotic enthusiasm of Hong Kong compatriots. These performances and exhibitions showcased the fighting spirit and cultural creativity of the Chinese people from multiple dimensions, helping the international community understand China more comprehensively.
International Media as a Window for Disseminating China's Voice
By utilizing international media platforms to actively transmit authentic information about China’s War of Resistance, China demonstrated its important status and contributions to the World Anti-Fascist War. This was done to win international recognition, secure support, and enhance China’s image in the global arena of public opinion.
After the Marco Polo Bridge Incident [4] in 1937, The New York Times published multiple reports describing the heroic resistance of the Chinese army in places like the Marco Polo Bridge, noting that "despite inferior equipment, they still tenaciously resisted the Japanese army," and praising the Chinese army's grit and spirit of sacrifice. During the Battle of Wuhan in 1938, the paper again reported on the tenacious defense in the Wuhan region, considering the performance of the Chinese army to be admirable. During the Battle of Shanghai in 1937 and the Battle of Zaoyang-Yichang in 1940, The Times (London) published several reports mentioning that "the tenacious defense of the Chinese army in Shanghai made the Japanese army pay a heavy price and demonstrated the determination of the Chinese military and people to resist," praising their courage and sacrifice. In its reporting on the Battle of Shanghai, Time magazine evaluated that "the Battle of Shanghai was militarily useless; in political significance, it was one of the greatest demonstrations of the war." It is worth noting that the attitudes held by American media at different stages of China’s resistance underwent substantive changes. At the beginning of the war, the attitude of the U.S. media was "neutral," but by the middle and late stages, a major shift occurred, with more focus placed on the common interests of China’s resistance and the global anti-fascist nations. This shift had a significant impact on the U.S. government and public attitudes, even influencing the direction of international public opinion. The timely reporting by international media on various aspects of China’s war, along with the significant shift in the stance of the American media, helped China more effectively win international sympathy, support, and aid.
During this period, China also invited international journalists to cover the War of Resistance, showing the international community real scenes of the struggle and the fighting spirit of the people. After conducting in-depth interviews in the revolutionary base areas of Northwest China, American journalist Edgar Snow wrote the book Red Star Over China. In the book, he spoke highly of the anti-Japanese forces led by the CPC, noting that "the army led by the Communist Party can still organize effective resistance in a harsh environment, reflecting the resilience and unity of the Chinese people," and arguing that "they are the backbone of the resistance against Japanese aggression, providing a powerful spiritual impetus for the cause of the Chinese people's liberation." In October 1937, British journalist James Bertram, in a conversation with Mao Zedong, gave a high evaluation of China’s resistance forces, believing that "any army in the world that attempts to fight the full force of an awakening China is bound to fail" and that "the army led by the Communist Party is a force with strong combat effectiveness and cohesion, and is the backbone of the resistance." In 1944, after visiting Yan'an, the United States Army Observation Group (the Dixie Mission) spoke highly of the CPC-led army, calling it "a young and vigorous, well-fed and well-clothed, well-trained force. The soldiers are all volunteers, quite intelligent, and possess high morale." The reports of these foreign journalists reflected China's important status and contributions to the World Anti-Fascist War, effectively winning support and aid and playing a crucial role in shaping China's image.
The experience of constructing the national image in the international arena of public opinion during the War of Resistance offers important insights for China in the New Era to innovate its Chinese narrative modes for international communication and to build an efficient and powerful system for international public opinion dissemination.