Organization Is the Source of Strength for Victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan

[Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War]

【纪念中国人民抗日战争暨世界反法西斯战争胜利80周年】

The Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was the first great national liberation struggle in modern times in which the Chinese people achieved complete victory. The unprecedented awakening of the Chinese people and the cohesive force of the Chinese nation in uniting to resist foreign aggression played an extremely important role in enabling China to wage this total national war of resistance and to win it. It can be said that organizing the people was the source of strength for the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. On the occasion of commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War, an in-depth analysis of how the Chinese nation organized itself, why it was able to organize itself, and the practical inspiration this offers will not only allow us to understand this history more profoundly, but also provide valuable experience and wisdom for our efforts to gather mighty strength to realize the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

中国人民抗日战争是近代以来中国人民第一次取得完全胜利的伟大的民族解放斗争。中国之所以能够进行这场前所未有的全民族抗战并取得胜利，中国人民的空前觉醒和中华民族团结御侮的凝聚力发挥了至关重要的作用。可以说，组织起来是中国人民抗日战争胜利的力量之源。在纪念中国人民抗日战争暨世界反法西斯战争胜利80周年之际，深入分析中华民族怎样组织起来、为什么能组织起来及其现实启示，不仅能让我们更深刻地理解这段历史，还能为我们凝聚磅礴伟力实现中华民族伟大复兴提供宝贵经验与智慧。

Organizing built a solid system for the whole nation’s war of resistance.

组织起来构建了全民族抗战的坚固体系

Mao Zedong pointed out sharply in *On Protracted War*: “The main reason why Japan dares to bully us is that the Chinese people are in a state of disorganization.”[1]1 *On Protracted War* is a seminal military and political work written by Mao Zedong in May–June 1938, analyzing the strategic stages of the war and arguing for a protracted people’s war. The great War of Resistance awakened the entire nation’s sense of crisis and mission. The Chinese nation achieved unprecedented unity, unleashing indomitable courage and strength.

毛泽东在《论持久战》中尖锐地指出：“日本敢于欺负我们，主要的原因在于中国民众的无组织状态。”伟大的抗日战争唤醒了全民族的危机意识和使命意识，中华民族实现了前所未有的团结，激发出无坚不摧的勇气和力量。

In terms of political organization, the anti-Japanese national united front advocated and established by the Communist Party of China encompassed all ethnic groups, classes, political parties, social organizations, patriotic figures from all walks of life, as well as compatriots from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas Chinese, uniting forces with different political stances and economic interests. In the anti-Japanese base areas led by the CPC, a “Three-Thirds System” of political power was established, broadly uniting all anti-Japanese classes and strata, motivating all positive factors to join the war effort, giving concrete expression to the anti-Japanese national united front in the organization of political power, and consolidating the political foundation of the base areas.[2]2 The “Three-Thirds System” (san san zhi) was a policy in the anti-Japanese base areas under CPC leadership, under which in the organs of political power, Communists, non-Party leftist progressives, and middle-of-the-roaders each occupied approximately one third of the posts. In July 1938, the People’s Political Council was formally established, providing a forum for representatives of all anti-Japanese parties and groups to publicly express their views and exchange ideas, and it also became an important position for the CPC to uphold the anti-Japanese national united front.[3]3 The People’s Political Council was an advisory body established in July 1938 as part of the united front, providing a forum for representatives from different parties and groups during the war. All democratic parties actively threw themselves into the war of resistance: for example, the China Democratic League actively organized its members to conduct anti-Japanese propaganda and fund-raising activities; the Chinese Vocational Education Society used its influence to mobilize people from all walks of life to provide material and technical support for the war.

在政治组织方面，中国共产党倡导建立的抗日民族统一战线涵盖了全国各民族、各阶级、各党派、各社会团体、各界爱国人士以及港澳台同胞和海外侨胞，将不同政治立场、不同经济利益的力量凝聚在一起。中国共产党领导的各抗日根据地建立起“三三制”政权，广泛团结各抗日阶级、阶层，调动了一切积极因素投入抗战，使抗日民族统一战线在政权组织上得到了具体体现，巩固了抗日根据地的政治基础。1938年7月，国民参政会正式成立，为各抗日党派、团体的代表提供了一个公开发表意见并相互交流的场所，也成为中国共产党维护抗日民族统一战线的重要阵地。各民主党派积极投身抗日，如中国民主同盟积极组织成员开展抗日宣传、募捐等活动；中华职业教育社利用自身影响力，动员各界人士为抗战提供物资和技术支持。

In terms of military organization, China’s armed forces built a flexible and diverse combat system based on the war situation and their own characteristics. The Kuomintang’s regular forces fought the Japanese on the frontal battlefields, while the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army led by the CPC opened up battlefields behind enemy lines, forming a strategic posture of pincering the Japanese army from two directions. The people’s army led by the CPC fully exploited the advantages of guerrilla warfare. The 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army ambushed the Japanese at Pingxingguan, shattering the myth that “the Japanese army is invincible” and greatly boosting the confidence of the whole nation in resisting the enemy.[4]4 The Pingxingguan battle took place on September 25, 1937, when the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army ambushed a Japanese supply column, achieving the first major victory of Chinese forces over the Japanese and boosting national morale. In the protracted guerrilla war, the people’s army created many flexible and mobile tactics, including mine warfare, tunnel warfare, and sparrow warfare.[5]5 Sparrow warfare (maque zhan) was a guerrilla tactic used by Chinese forces, involving small harassment groups that attacked the enemy from multiple directions and then quickly dispersed. In the case of mine warfare, in 1943 alone, the militia in the Jin-Cha-Ji Border Region used mines to kill or wound more than 2,800 Japanese and puppet troops. At the same time, the people’s army focused on establishing and developing anti-Japanese base areas, combining military struggle with base area construction. These base areas became stable rear areas for persisting in the war and strategic strongholds for conducting guerrilla warfare. This military organizational system, which combined regular warfare with guerrilla warfare and integrated military struggle with base area construction, effectively brought into play the advantages of China’s armed forces and plunged the Japanese invaders into the vast ocean of a people’s war.

在军事组织方面，中国军队根据战争形势和自身特点，构建了灵活多样的作战体系。国民党军在正面战场抗击日军，共产党领导的八路军、新四军开辟敌后战场，形成了两个战场夹击日军的战略态势。中国共产党领导的人民军队充分发挥游击战争优势。八路军第115师在平型关设伏，一举打破了“日军不可战胜”的神话，极大地鼓舞了全国军民的抗战信心。在长期的游击战争中，人民军队创造了地雷战、地道战、麻雀战等多种灵活机动的战术。以地雷战为例，仅1943年，晋察冀抗日根据地的民兵就利用地雷炸死炸伤日伪军2800余人。同时，人民军队注重建立和发展抗日根据地，将军事斗争与根据地建设相结合。这些根据地成为坚持抗战的稳固后方和开展游击战争的战略支点。这种正规战与游击战相结合、军事斗争与根据地建设相结合的军事组织体系，有效发挥了中国军队的优势，使日军陷入人民战争的汪洋大海。

In terms of economic organization, a wartime system for controlling the entire national economy was established nationwide; a number of important factories and enterprises in the coastal and riverine areas were gradually moved inland, accelerating the economic development of the vast southwestern and northwestern rear areas that had lagged behind industrially, and providing important economic support for persisting in the war. The base areas universally implemented the policy of reducing rent and interest, which reduced feudal exploitation, liberated the rural productive forces, improved the lives of the broad masses of peasants, and aroused their enthusiasm for resisting Japan.[6]6 The policy of reducing rent and interest (jianzu jianxi) was implemented in the anti-Japanese base areas from 1937 onward to minimize feudal exploitation, raise peasant living standards, and secure their support for the war. The base areas also universally launched the Great Production Movement, which lightened the people’s burden and improved the lives of both the army and the people.[7]7 The Great Production Movement was launched in 1941 in the base areas to achieve self-sufficiency in food and supplies, with both civilians and troops engaging in farming and production to alleviate shortages caused by Japanese blockades. In November 1943, Mao Zedong delivered his important speech “Get Organized!” at the reception for labor heroes of the Shaan-Gan-Ning Border Region held by the CPC Central Committee. He profoundly discussed the great significance of organizing the strength of the masses into great labor armies, further awakening the political consciousness of the working masses and promoting the deepening of mass organizational work.

在经济组织方面，全国建立起全面控制国民经济运转的战时体系，沿海沿江地区的一批重要工厂企业陆续向内地迁移，加速了工业基础落后的西南、西北大后方的经济发展，对坚持抗战发挥了重要的经济支撑作用。各根据地普遍实行减租减息政策，减少了封建剥削，解放了农村生产力，改善了广大农民生活，激发了农民群众抗战的积极性。各抗日根据地普遍开展大生产运动，减轻了人民负担，改善了军民生活。1943年11月，毛泽东在中共中央招待陕甘宁边区劳动英雄大会上发表《组织起来》的重要讲话，深刻论述了把群众力量组织起来、组成劳动大军的重大意义，进一步启发了劳动群众的政治觉悟，推动了群众组织工作的深入开展。

In terms of mass organization, the Communist Party of China went deep into the countryside and cities, extensively mobilized the masses, and organized various anti-Japanese groups and organizations. In the countryside, peasant associations, women’s national salvation associations, children’s corps, and other organizations were established, mobilizing peasants to join the army in the war effort and support the front lines. By 1940, there were more than 1.3 million members of various anti-Japanese organizations in the Jin-Cha-Ji Border Region alone, among which the Young Anti-Japanese Vanguard had over 100,000 members, who took on tasks such as standing guard, patrolling, and transmitting intelligence.[8]8 The Jin-Cha-Ji Border Region was a major anti-Japanese base area in northern China, covering parts of Shanxi, Chahar, and Hebei provinces, established by the CPC in 1937. The Women’s National Salvation Federation of the Shandong Base Area organized large numbers of women to make army shoes and uniforms; in 1943 alone, they completed 1.5 million pairs of army shoes and 500,000 sets of uniforms.[9]9 The Shandong Base Area was a CPC-led anti-Japanese base area in Shandong province, established in 1938. In the cities, the working class resisted Japanese economic plunder through strikes and work slowdowns, and also organized to provide material production and transportation support for the war. Students from all over established anti-Japanese propaganda teams, going into streets and alleys, villages and towns, using speeches and performances to spread the ideas of resisting Japan and national salvation. Various anti-Japanese national salvation associations united social forces from all walks of life, with those who had money contributing money and those who had strength contributing strength, providing funding, materials, and other assistance for the war. Overseas Chinese from all over the world organized themselves and established anti-Japanese national salvation groups. Overseas Chinese contributed huge amounts of money and goods in various forms to the motherland’s war effort; they also organized comfort missions, rescue teams, and other kinds of service groups returning to China to participate in the war, fully reflecting the deep patriotism of the broad masses of overseas Chinese. All kinds of anti-Japanese organizations gathered the strength of scattered individuals into a mighty torrent of resistance, causing the Japanese aggressors to be bogged down in the vast ocean of a people’s war and ultimately heading toward defeat and extinction.

在民众组织方面，中国共产党深入农村、城市，广泛发动群众，组织起各种抗日团体和组织。在农村，建立了农会、妇女救国会、儿童团等组织，动员农民参军参战、支援前线。到1940年，仅晋察冀边区就有各种抗日团体成员130余万人，其中青年抗日先锋队队员达10万余人，他们承担了站岗放哨、传递情报等工作。山东根据地的妇女救国联合会组织广大妇女做军鞋、缝军装，仅1943年就完成军鞋150万双、军装50万套。在城市，工人阶级通过罢工、怠工等方式打击日本侵略者的经济掠夺，同时组织起来为抗战提供物资生产和运输支持。各地的学生纷纷成立抗日宣传队，深入街头巷尾、农村乡镇，通过演讲、演出等形式宣传抗日救亡思想。各种抗日救亡协会，团结社会各界力量，有钱出钱，有力出力，为抗战提供资金、物资等方面的援助。世界各地华侨纷纷组织起来，建立抗日救国团体。华侨为祖国抗战捐献财物，数额巨大，形式多样，他们还组织慰问团、救护队等各种归国服务团参加抗战，充分体现了广大华侨的拳拳赤子之心。各类抗日团体将分散的个体力量凝聚成强大的抗战洪流，使日本侵略者陷入人民战争的汪洋大海最终走向失败和灭亡。

The Communist Party of China was the active advocate and steadfast defender of organizing.

中国共产党是组织起来的积极倡导者和坚定维护者

The victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was achieved by the people of all ethnic groups across the country through extremely arduous struggles and at a heavy cost. The reason why the crisis of national subjugation and genocide was able to arouse such a tremendous national awakening among the Chinese people was that the Communist Party of China, with its firm national stance, correct political propositions, outstanding struggle wisdom, and strong exemplary actions, played the role of the mainstay in the War of Resistance.

中国人民抗日战争的胜利是全国各族人民经过极其艰苦的斗争，付出了沉重代价取得的。亡国灭种的危机之所以能够唤起中国人民的巨大民族觉醒，是因为中国共产党以坚定的民族立场、正确的政治主张、卓越的斗争智慧和坚强有力的模范行动，在抗日战争中发挥了中流砥柱作用。

The Communist Party of China actively advocated, worked hard to establish, and steadfastly upheld the anti-Japanese national united front based on Kuomintang-Communist cooperation, which became a winning weapon for maximizing the mobilization of the whole nation to resist Japan. After the September 18 Incident in 1931, as the national crisis deepened, the CPC, representing the interests of the Chinese nation and the wishes of the entire people, immediately issued declarations and adopted resolutions, being the first to raise high the banner of armed resistance against Japan.[10]10 The September 18 Incident refers to the Japanese invasion of northeastern China (Manchuria) beginning on September 18, 1931, which led to the occupation of the three eastern provinces. On September 20, 1931, the CPC Central Committee issued the “Declaration of the Communist Party of China on the Japanese Imperialists’ Violent Occupation of the Three Eastern Provinces,” calling on the entire people to arm themselves to oppose Japanese imperialist aggression. In 1935, our Party successively issued the “August First Declaration” and the “Declaration on Resisting Japan and Saving the Nation,” calling for an end to the civil war and united resistance against Japan.[11]11 The “August First Declaration” (August 1, 1935) was issued by the CPC under the name of the Chinese Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army; it called for an end to the civil war and the formation of a united front with all forces willing to resist Japan. In 1936, the CPC helped bring about the peaceful settlement of the Xi’an Incident, laying the foundation for the establishment of the anti-Japanese national united front.[12]12 The Xi’an Incident (December 1936) was the arrest of Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek by Generals Zhang Xueliang and Yang Hucheng, who demanded an end to the civil war and united resistance against Japan. The CPC mediated and secured Chiang’s release, leading to the formation of the anti-Japanese united front. After the July 7 Incident, at the moment when the Chinese nation faced survival or extinction, the CPC stood at the forefront of the War of Resistance, firmly fighting for the interests of the nation, and called on the whole nation, the government, and the army to unite and build a solid Great Wall of the national united front.[13]13 The July 7 Incident (also known as the Marco Polo Bridge Incident) on July 7, 1937, marked the beginning of the full-scale Japanese invasion of China and the start of the all-out War of Resistance. The CPC Central Committee sent Zhou Enlai and others to negotiate with the Kuomintang and submitted the “Declaration of the CPC Central Committee on the Publication of the Kuomintang-Communist Cooperation.”[14]14 The “Declaration of the CPC Central Committee on the Publication of the Kuomintang-Communist Cooperation” was issued in September 1937, formally announcing the cooperation between the two parties on the basis of resistance against Japan. The establishment of the anti-Japanese national united front opened up a new situation for the whole nation’s war of resistance. All ethnic groups, democratic parties, and patriotic democrats were deeply inspired by the renewed cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party in resisting Japan and joined the anti-Japanese national united front in various forms. Within the united front, the CPC adhered to the principle of maintaining independence and initiative, implemented the policy of developing progressive anti-Japanese forces, winning over the middle forces, and isolating the die-hard anti-Communist forces; while persisting in united resistance with the Kuomintang, it waged struggles against the latter’s anti-Communist and capitulationist activities in a principled, advantageous, and restrained manner. The CPC actively advocated, brought about, and upheld the anti-Japanese national united front, mobilizing and organizing the entire army and people to fight side by side to the maximum extent, becoming an outstanding organizer and mobilizer who gathered together the strength of the whole nation.

中国共产党积极倡导、努力建立和维护以国共合作为基础的抗日民族统一战线，成为最大限度动员全国人民抗战的制胜法宝。1931年九一八事变后，在民族危机日益深重的形势下，中国共产党代表中华民族利益和全国人民愿望，立即发表宣言，作出决议，率先高举起武装抗日的旗帜。1931年9月20日，中共中央发表《中国共产党为日本帝国主义强暴占领东三省事件宣言》，号召全国人民武装起来，反对日本帝国主义的侵略。1935年，我们党相继发表《八一宣言》《抗日救国宣言》等，号召停止内战，一致抗日。1936年，中国共产党促成西安事变的和平解决，为抗日民族统一战线的建立奠定了基础。七七事变后，在中华民族面临生死存亡的关头，中国共产党站在抗日战争最前列，坚定地为民族利益而斗争，号召全国同胞、政府、军队团结起来，筑成民族统一战线的坚固长城。中共中央派周恩来等与国民党谈判，并送交《中共中央为公布国共合作宣言》。抗日民族统一战线的建立，开辟了全民族抗战的新局面。全国各族人民、各民主党派和爱国民主人士对国共两党重新合作共同抗日深感振奋，并以不同形式加入抗日民族统一战线中来。在统一战线中，中国共产党坚持独立自主原则，实行发展抗日进步力量，争取中间力量，孤立反共顽固势力的方针，在坚持与国民党团结抗日的同时，对其反共投降活动进行有理有利有节的斗争。中国共产党积极倡导、促成、维护抗日民族统一战线，最大限度地动员和组织了全国军民共同抗战，成为凝聚全民族力量的杰出组织者和鼓舞者。

The Communist Party of China’s scientific theories and exemplary actions were the guide to action and firm guarantee for organizing. The Chinese Communists, with Comrade Mao Zedong as their chief representative, created and developed the scientific theory of Mao Zedong Thought, which played an important role in guiding ideas and strategy for the War of Resistance. In 1938, summing up the experience since the beginning of the whole nation’s war of resistance, Mao Zedong delivered his famous speech *On Protracted War*, systematically elucidating the Party’s general strategic policy of protracted war against Japan, pointing out that only by persisting in protracted war could final victory be achieved, and putting forward a whole set of feasible methods for mobilizing the masses, continuously weakening the enemy’s advantages while building up our own strength through protracted war, which greatly strengthened the people’s determination and confidence in persisting in the war. From the end of 1939 to the beginning of 1940, Mao Zedong published important works including the “Foreword to *The Communist*” and *On New Democracy*, making a complete exposition of the theory of new democracy, enabling the broad masses of Party members and the people to clearly see the laws of development and prospects of the Chinese revolution, greatly inspiring the people’s confidence in victory, and effectively guiding and promoting the victory of the War of Resistance and the Chinese revolution.[15]15 “Foreword to *The Communist*” is a 1939 article by Mao Zedong in which he elaborated on the concept of “uniting all forces that can be united” and the importance of Party building.[16]16 *On New Democracy* (January 1940) is a major work by Mao Zedong that systematically outlined the theory of the new-democratic revolution, including its political, economic, and cultural programs. During the War of Resistance, the CPC adhered to the line of total resistance, went deep behind enemy lines, mobilized the masses, established anti-Japanese base areas, and conducted guerrilla warfare, making tremendous sacrifices and contributions to the victory of the war. The dauntless heroism and the spirit of self-sacrifice for the interests of the people demonstrated by the vast numbers of Communist Party members in the war greatly raised the level of political consciousness and organization of the whole nation’s resistance. At that time, although the CPC had not yet taken state power, it put forward and implemented a correct line, principles, and policies, which had a major impact nationwide. The CPC was the staunchest defender of national interests, becoming the strong core of unity in the war of resistance and the pillar on which the people relied in organizing themselves.

中国共产党的科学理论和模范行动是组织起来的行动指南和坚强保障。以毛泽东同志为主要代表的中国共产党人，创立和发展了毛泽东思想的科学理论，对抗日战争发挥了重要的思想和战略指导作用。1938年，毛泽东总结全民族抗战开始以来的经验，作了《论持久战》的著名演讲，系统阐明了党关于抗日持久战的战略总方针，指明了必须坚持持久战才能取得最后胜利的前景，并提出一整套动员人民群众，在持久战中不断削弱敌方的优势、生长自己的力量，以夺取最后胜利的切实可行的办法，极大地增强了人们坚持抗战的决心和信心。1939年底至1940年初，毛泽东先后发表《〈共产党人〉发刊词》《中国革命和中国共产党》《新民主主义论》等重要著作，对新民主主义理论作出完整论述，使广大党员和人民群众清楚看到中国革命的发展规律和前景，极大地鼓舞了人民的胜利信心，有力地指导和促进了抗日战争和中国革命的胜利发展。在抗日战争中，中国共产党坚持全面抗战路线，深入敌后，发动群众，建立抗日根据地，开展游击战争，为抗战胜利作出了巨大的牺牲和贡献。广大共产党员在战争中表现出的无所畏惧的英雄主义精神和为人民利益献出一切的自我牺牲精神，有力地提高了全民族抗战的觉悟程度和组织程度。当时，中国共产党虽然还没有掌握全国政权，但是提出并实行了正确路线、方针、政策，在全国产生了重大影响。中国共产党是民族利益最坚定的维护者，成为团结抗战的坚强核心和人民群众组织起来的主心骨。

The Communist Party of China inherited and carried forward fine traditional Chinese culture, awakened national consciousness, and served as a spiritual bond for organizing. Fine traditional Chinese culture is the spiritual foundation that the Chinese nation has formed over its long history; such rich cultural connotations as love for the family and country, and unremitting self-improvement, are the unique spiritual identity of the Chinese nation and a spiritual bond that unites Chinese people all over the world. The CPC adopted diverse and colorful activities to inherit and carry forward fine traditional Chinese culture. The Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi) is the resting place of the legendary ancestor of the Chinese nation; it not only symbolizes the beginning of civilization but also embodies the long-standing spirit of the Chinese nation.[17]17 The Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi Ling) is the legendary burial site of the Yellow Emperor, considered the ancestor of the Chinese nation, located in present-day Yan’an, Shaanxi. On Qingming Festival in 1937, the Communist Party of China and the Chinese Kuomintang simultaneously sent representatives to pay homage at the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor; Mao Zedong personally wrote a funeral oration, calling on “all parties and all circles to unite firmly, whether army or civilian, regardless of rich or poor; the national united front is the fine prescription for national salvation; 400 million people, resist resolutely.”[18]18 On Qingming Festival in 1937, the CPC and the Kuomintang held a joint ceremony at the Mausoleum of the Yellow Emperor, symbolizing the unity of all Chinese against foreign aggression. After the outbreak of the whole nation’s war of resistance, Chinese cultural and educational circles, with high patriotic enthusiasm and using fine traditional Chinese culture as a spiritual resource, created a large number of dramas, films, songs and other excellent works, which became spiritual food for arousing and organizing the people. For example, Xian Xinghai’s *Yellow River Cantata* and Tian Han’s lyrics for the *March of the Volunteers* used stirring melodies to ignite the whole nation’s passion for resistance.[19]19 The *Yellow River Cantata* is a 1939 choral work by Xian Xinghai with lyrics by Guang Weiran, celebrating the Chinese people’s resistance against Japan.[20]20 The *March of the Volunteers* was written by Tian Han and composed by Nie Er in 1935, later adopted as the official national anthem of the People’s Republic of China; it originated as a song for the anti-Japanese struggle. The teachers and students of the National Southwestern Associated University (Lianda) trekked three thousand kilometers southward to continue their studies, guarding the flame of culture in the midst of war.[21]21 The National Southwestern Associated University (Lianda) was formed in 1937 from the wartime relocation of Peking University, Tsinghua University, and Nankai University to Kunming, where it continued education and research under extremely difficult conditions. This spirit of closely linking individual destiny with the destiny of the nation was a powerful spiritual force that inspired the people to unite and organize themselves to persist in the war of resistance.

中国共产党传承弘扬中华优秀传统文化，唤起民族意识觉醒，成为组织起来的精神纽带。中华优秀传统文化是中华民族在悠久历史长河中形成的精神基石，家国情怀、自强不息等丰富文化内涵是中华民族独特的精神标识，是凝聚全世界华人的精神纽带。中国共产党采取形式多样、丰富多彩的活动继承弘扬中华优秀传统文化。黄帝陵是中华民族始祖轩辕黄帝陵寝，不仅象征着文明时代的开端，更凝聚着中华民族源远流长的精神。1937年清明节，中国共产党和中国国民党同时派代表进行祭拜黄帝陵活动，毛泽东亲自撰写祭文，号召“各党各界，团结坚固。不论军民，不分贫富。民族阵线，救国良方。四万万众，坚决抵抗”。全民族抗战爆发后，中国文化教育界以高昂的爱国主义热情，以中华优秀传统文化为精神资源，创作了大批剧目、影片、歌曲等优秀作品，成为唤起民众、组织民众的精神食粮。比如，冼星海创作的《黄河大合唱》、田汉作词的《义勇军进行曲》等文艺作品，以激昂旋律激发全民抗战热情。西南联大师生徒步三千公里南迁办学，在战火中守护文化火种。这种将个人命运与民族命运紧密联系的精神，是激励民众团结组织起来坚持抗战的强大精神动力。

Organizing achieved the monumental victory of the War of Resistance — the inspiration for our times.

组织起来铸就抗战胜利丰碑的时代启示

In those arduous years of the War of Resistance, the Chinese people, with unimaginable tenacity and wisdom, turned scattered individual strength into a steel torrent against foreign aggression. This great practice of organizing the entire people erected a monument to the victory of the War of Resistance and also left us valuable spiritual wealth and profound inspiration for our times.

在抗日战争那段艰苦卓绝的岁月里，中国人民以超越想象的坚韧与智慧，将分散的个体力量汇聚成抵御外敌的钢铁洪流。这种全民组织起来的伟大实践，铸就了抗战胜利的丰碑，也为今天留下宝贵精神财富和深刻时代启示。

Upholding the Party’s leadership is the fundamental guarantee for building consensus. The great victory of the War of Resistance fully proved that the Communist Party of China, by its firm will, exemplary actions, and selfless dedication, won the trust and support of the people across the country and became the mainstay uniting the whole nation in the War of Resistance. It was precisely the cohesive force of this leadership core that enabled all classes and parties to set aside their differences and unite to face the national crisis. On the new journey, only by upholding the overall leadership of the Communist Party of China can we consolidate and develop the broadest possible patriotic united front, gather the wisdom and strength of the people of all ethnic groups across the country, and jointly advance the cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics. General Secretary Xi Jinping stressed: “The Party’s strength comes from organization. The overall leadership of the Party and all the Party’s work must be realized through a strong organizational system that ensures orders reach the grassroots and commands are carried out with effective implementation.”[24]24 This quotation from General Secretary Xi Jinping is from his speech at the National Conference on Organizational Work in July 2018. Building an organizational system that is connected from top to bottom and effective in implementation is precisely the key guarantee for unity and cooperation, so that scattered forces can be gathered into a powerful synergy.

坚持党的领导是凝聚共识的根本保障。抗日战争的伟大胜利充分证明，中国共产党以自己的坚定意志、模范行动和无私奉献，赢得了全国人民的信任和拥护，成为团结全国人民抗战的中流砥柱，正是这种领导核心的凝聚力，才使得各阶级、各党派放下分歧，共赴国难。新征程上，只有坚持中国共产党的全面领导，才能巩固和发展最广泛的爱国统一战线，凝聚起全国各族人民的智慧和力量，共同推进中国特色社会主义事业。习近平总书记强调：“党的力量来自组织。党的全面领导、党的全部工作要靠党的坚强组织体系去实现。”构建上下贯通、执行有力的组织体系，正是团结协作的关键保障，才能将分散的力量汇聚成强大合力。

The exemplary vanguard role of Party members is a powerful force for uniting the masses. During the War of Resistance, Chinese Communists always took national liberation as their own mission, played a pioneering and exemplary role, and became a powerful cohesive force that moved the masses to organize themselves. On the new journey, only by daring to step forward and take responsibility can Chinese Communists use their concrete actions to lead the broad masses to contribute their strength to the development of the country and the progress of society. The power of example is infinite. When Communist Party members play an exemplary vanguard role, they will produce a huge demonstration effect among the masses, forming a strong appeal and cohesion. Communist Party members are the cells of the Party’s body; they must maintain close ties with the masses, becoming a link between the Party organization and the people. Party members, especially leading Party cadres, taking the lead and setting an example in all aspects is an effective leadership method and working method. When Party cadres inherit and carry forward the spirit of responsibility and dedication, taking the lead and acting as an example, they can truly organize the masses and form a powerful force for promoting social development.

党员发挥先锋模范作用是凝聚群众的强大力量。在抗日战争中，中国共产党人始终以民族解放为己任，发挥了先锋模范作用，成为群众组织起来的强大凝聚力量。新征程上，中国共产党人只有敢于挺身而出，勇于担当责任，才能以实际行动带动广大群众为国家的发展和社会的进步贡献自己的力量。榜样的力量是无穷的。共产党员发挥先锋模范作用，就会在群众中产生巨大的示范效应，形成强大的感召力和凝聚力。共产党员是党的肌体的细胞，要与人民群众保持密切联系，成为党组织与人民群众相联系的纽带。广大党员特别是党员领导干部在各个方面坚持以身作则、以上率下是一种有效的领导方法和工作方法。党员干部继承和发扬责任担当精神，以身作则，率先垂范，就能够真正组织群众，形成推动社会发展的强大力量。

The national spirit with patriotism at its core is a powerful driving force that encourages us to move forward. Fine traditional Chinese culture is the spiritual lifeline of the Chinese nation; the patriotic spirit becomes a powerful spiritual force that unites the entire people. The victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression was a great victory of the national spirit with patriotism at its core. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that the Chinese people, in the grand process of the War of Resistance, nurtured the great spirit of the War of Resistance, which showed the world the patriotic sentiment of “everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the nation,” the national integrity of facing death unflinchingly and preferring death to surrender, the heroic spirit of defying brute force and fighting to the bitter end, and the unshakable faith in victory despite repeated setbacks.[25]25 The “great spirit of the War of Resistance” was first systematically defined by General Secretary Xi Jinping in a speech on September 3, 2020, on the 75th anniversary of the victory of the War of Resistance. In the New Era, we must vigorously promote the spirit of patriotism, activate the vitality of fine traditional Chinese culture with the spirit of the times, promote the creative transformation and innovative development of fine traditional Chinese culture, integrate it into the cultivation and practice of core socialist values, strengthen patriotic propaganda and education through multiple channels, stimulate the national pride and patriotic feelings of all the people, constantly enhance national cohesion and centripetal force, and with greater confidence and higher morale, gather strength for comprehensively advancing the building of a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through Chinese-path modernization.

以爱国主义为核心的民族精神是激励我们前行的强大动力。中华优秀传统文化是中华民族的精神血脉，爱国精神成为凝聚全国人民的强大精神力量。中国人民抗日战争胜利是以爱国主义为核心的民族精神的伟大胜利，习近平总书记指出，中国人民在抗日战争的壮阔进程中孕育出伟大抗战精神，向世界展示了天下兴亡、匹夫有责的爱国情怀，视死如归、宁死不屈的民族气节，不畏强暴、血战到底的英雄气概，百折不挠、坚忍不拔的必胜信念。在新时代，我们要大力弘扬爱国主义精神，以时代精神激活中华优秀传统文化的生命力，推进中华优秀传统文化创造性转化和创新性发展，将其融入社会主义核心价值观的培育和践行中，通过多种途径加强爱国主义宣传教育，激发全体人民的民族自豪感和爱国情怀，不断增强民族凝聚力和向心力，以更加坚定的信心和更加昂扬的斗志，为以中国式现代化全面推进强国建设、民族复兴伟业汇聚力量。

(The author: Wang Binglin, is a specially-appointed researcher of Beijing Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era and president of the Institute for CPC History and Party Building, Beijing Normal University.)

（作者：王炳林，系北京市习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心特约研究员、北京师范大学中共党史党建研究院院长）

Internet editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心