The Shaping of China's International Image during the War of Resistance Against Japan

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: "The great victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japan reestablished China's status as a major country in the world, won the respect of peace-loving people worldwide for the Chinese people, and earned the Chinese nation a lofty national reputation." This great victory profoundly changed the future and destiny of the Chinese nation, and fully opened a new historical journey of the ancient Chinese phoenix nirvana and rebirth from the fire. During this period, China actively voiced its opinions in the international public opinion arena, playing an important role in winning international support and assistance.

习近平总书记指出：“中国人民抗日战争的伟大胜利，重新确立了中国在世界上的大国地位，中国人民赢得了世界爱好和平人民的尊敬，中华民族赢得了崇高的民族声誉。”这个伟大胜利，深刻改变了中华民族的前途命运，全面开启了古老中国凤凰涅槃、浴火重生的历史新征程。这一时期，中国在国际舆论场中积极发声，为争取国际社会支持与援助发挥了重要作用。

Showing the international community

向国际社会展示

the true image of the War of Resistance

抗战真实形象

By showing the international community the will to resist, China conveyed the true information and positive image of its War of Resistance, enabling the international community to more clearly recognize that China's War of Resistance was not only a national liberation struggle to defend the homeland and sovereignty, but also a just cause to safeguard world peace and development.

通过向国际社会展示抗战意志，传递中国抗战的真实信息和积极形象，使国际社会更加清晰地认识到中国抗战不仅是保家卫国、捍卫主权的民族解放斗争，更是维护世界和平与发展的正义之举。

British Prime Minister Churchill gave a fair evaluation of the role, status, and strategic value of China's War of Resistance, saying: "If China collapses, at least fifteen Japanese divisions, perhaps twenty, will be freed up." If Japan advanced into the Indian Ocean, "it would inevitably lead to the collapse of all our positions in the Middle East" and "to allow the Germans and Japanese to join hands in India or the Middle East would certainly cause incalculable disaster to the Allied cause." French President de Gaulle held a highly affirmative attitude toward China's role in the World Anti-Fascist War, considering China and France as anti-fascist allies and partners for peace. The speeches of these two statesmen strongly confirmed the justice and national character of China's War of Resistance, and deeply interpreted the huge sacrifices and great spirit displayed by the Chinese people in the war.

英国首相丘吉尔对中国抗战的作用、地位及其战略价值给予了中肯的评价，“中国一崩溃，至少会使日军十五个师团，也许会有二十个师团腾出手来”，如果日本进军印度洋，“必然会导致我方在中东的全部阵地崩溃”“听任德国人和日本人在印度或中东携手，对盟国的事业必然要引起无法衡量的灾难”。法国总统戴高乐对中国在世界反法西斯战争中的作用持高度肯定态度，认为中法两国是反法西斯的同盟，是和平的伙伴。以上两国政要发表的讲话，有力印证了中国抗战的正义性和民族性，深度诠释了中国人民在抗战中付出的巨大牺牲与表现出的伟大精神。

In December 1937, American officer Carlson stated in a letter to the U.S. authorities: "The Eighth Route Army never harasses the people, consciously observes discipline, strictly self-disciplined, and never molests women; it is the most restrained army I have ever seen. This seemingly incredible phenomenon is the result of education and effective organization." He also evaluated that the political work of the Eighth Route Army was the most important factor in the victory of military operations. Japanese historian Inoue Kiyoshi once said: "Japan not only lost to the United States in World War II, but also more miserably lost to China, or more precisely, to the Chinese people." Famous American journalist Anna Louise Strong repeatedly went deep into the anti-Japanese base areas for interviews, recording in detail the heroic and tenacious resistance of the military and civilians under the leadership of the Communist Party of China. She showed the world the indomitable will to fight and the confidence in victory of the Chinese people in harsh conditions, and believed that the anti-Japanese forces led by the CPC were an important guarantee for China's victory in the War of Resistance and made important contributions to the World Anti-Fascist War. These foreign officers, scholars, and journalists objectively depicted the true face of China's War of Resistance from multiple aspects, praised the spirit and contributions of Chinese military and civilians, and played a role that cannot be ignored in winning international sympathy, support, and assistance for China's War of Resistance, as well as enhancing China's international status and influence.

1937年12月，美国军官卡尔逊在致美国官方的信中称：“八路军从不骚扰人民，自觉遵守纪律，严于律己，从不调戏妇女，是我见过的最克制的军队。这种看似不可思议的现象是教育和有效组织的结果。”他还评价八路军的政治工作是军事行动获胜的最重要因素。日本历史学家井上清曾讲到：“日本在第二次世界大战中不仅败于美国，而且更惨地败给了中国，正确地说，败给了中国人民。”美国著名女记者安娜·路易斯·斯特朗曾多次深入抗日根据地采访，详细记录了中国共产党领导下的抗日军民英勇抗战的事迹，向世界展示了中国人民在艰苦环境下的顽强斗志和必胜信念，认为中国共产党领导的抗日力量是中国抗战胜利的重要保障，为世界反法西斯战争作出了重要贡献。这些外国军官、学者、记者从多方面客观描绘了中国抗战的真实面貌，赞扬了中国军民的抗战精神和所作贡献，对争取国际社会对中国抗战的同情、支持、援助以及提升中国国际地位和影响力，起到了不可忽视的作用。

Stimulating the vitality of Chinese culture

激发中华文化活力

As a vehicle for enhancing international influence

作为提升国际影响的载体

By stimulating cultural vitality and relying on forms such as cultural exhibitions, artistic performances, and academic exchanges, China showcased its cultural relics, traditional arts, literary works, and philosophical thoughts to the international community, enabling the international community to more fully understand the unique charm and profound heritage of Chinese culture. This laid a solid cultural foundation for shaping a positive Chinese image in the international public opinion arena, and enhanced international understanding and support for China's War of Resistance.

通过激发文化活力，依托文化展览、艺术表演、学术交流等形式，向国际社会展示中国的文物瑰宝、传统艺术、文学作品、哲学思想等，使国际社会更加全面地了解中华文化的独特魅力与深厚底蕴，为在国际舆论场上塑造积极的中国形象奠定了坚实的文化基础，增进了国际社会对中国抗战的理解与支持。

From November 1935 to March 1936, China traveled to the United Kingdom to participate in the "International Exhibition of Chinese Art in London." Nearly a thousand national treasure-level cultural relics were exhibited overseas for the first time, including bronzes, calligraphy and paintings, ceramics, etc., attracting 420,000 visitors from all over the world. This was the first time China's national treasure-level cultural relics were exhibited abroad, powerfully demonstrating the unique charm and profound heritage of Chinese culture. This exhibition not only created a lasting Chinese art fever in Europe and America, but also won widespread sympathy and support for China's War of Resistance in the international community. From January 1940 to June 1941, China and the Soviet Association for Foreign Cultural Relations reached an agreement to exhibit 1,900 artworks from the Palace Museum collection and some private Chinese collections in Moscow and Leningrad, causing a sensation for Chinese culture at that time. These exhibitions not only demonstrated the unique charm of Chinese culture, but also showcased the spiritual outlook of the Chinese people in the environment of the War of Resistance to the international community, playing an important role in shaping a positive Chinese image in the international public opinion arena.

1935年11月至1936年3月，中国远赴英国参加“伦敦中国艺术国际展览会”，近千件国宝级文物首次在国外亮相，包括青铜器、书画、陶瓷等，吸引了42万来自世界各地的观众。这是中国国宝级文物第一次赴外展览，有力展示了中国文化的独特魅力与深厚底蕴。这次展览不仅在欧美形成了持久的中国艺术热潮，而且使中国的抗战在国际社会上赢得了广泛同情与支持。1940年1月至1941年6月，中国和苏联对外文化联络协会达成协议，将故宫博物院院藏和中国民间部分私人收藏的1900件艺术品在苏联莫斯科和列宁格勒展出，中华文化一时引起轰动。这些展览不仅展示了中国文化的独特魅力，而且还向国际社会展示了中国人民在抗战环境下的精神风貌，为在国际舆论场上塑造积极的中国形象发挥了重要作用。

During this period, Chinese Peking Opera artist Mei Lanfang performed on the international stage many times, winning wide acclaim from the international community with his superb artistic performances and unique artistic style, playing a positive role in shaping China's image. In particular, his 1930 performance tour to the United States attracted high attention from American society, with many authoritative media extensively reporting on the grand occasion. In 1939, with the support of the Buddhist community in Macau, Lingnan School painter Gao Jianfu and his disciples held an anti-war painting exhibition, which denounced the atrocities of the Japanese invaders and aroused the sympathy of Macau compatriots for China's War of Resistance. In the same year, Gao Jianfu and his disciples also held an anti-war painting 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 demonstrated the anti-war spirit and cultural creativity of the Chinese people to the international community from multiple aspects, helping the international community to more comprehensively understand China.

这一时期，中国京剧艺术家梅兰芳多次在国际舞台上演出，以其精湛的艺术表演和独特的艺术风格赢得了国际社会的广泛赞誉，为塑造中国形象发挥了积极作用。特别是1930年的赴美演出，引起美国社会高度关注，多家权威媒体对此次演出盛况进行了广泛报道。1939年，在澳门佛教界的支持下，岭南画派画家高剑父及其弟子举办抗战画展，这些画作控诉了日寇的暴行，激发了澳门同胞对中国抗战的同情。同年，高剑父及其弟子还在香港大学举办了抗战画展，引起了香港社会的强烈共鸣，激发了香港同胞的爱国热情。这些艺演与艺展，从多方面向国际社会展示了中国人民的抗战精神和文化创造力，有助于让国际社会更加全面地了解中国。

International public opinion media as

国际舆论媒体作为

a window for disseminating China's voice

传播中国声音的窗口

By utilizing international media platforms, China actively conveyed the true information of its War of Resistance to the international community, demonstrated its important position and contributions in the World Anti-Fascist War, in order to win international recognition and support, and enhance China's image in the international public opinion arena.

通过利用国际媒体平台，积极向国际社会传递中国抗战的真实信息，展现中国在世界反法西斯战争中的重要地位和所作贡献，以赢得国际社会的认可、争取国际社会的支持，提升中国在国际舆论场中的形象。

After the Lugou Bridge Incident in 1937, The New York Times published multiple reports detailing the heroic resistance of Chinese troops at Lugou Bridge and elsewhere, pointing out that "despite inferior equipment, they still tenaciously fought the Japanese army," and praised the tenacious will and sacrifice of the Chinese military. During the Battle of Wuhan in 1938, the newspaper also reported on the tenacious defense of Chinese troops in the Wuhan area, stating that the performance of the Chinese military was admirable. During the Battle of Shanghai in 1937 and the Battle of Zaoyang-Yichang in 1940, The Times of London published multiple reports, mentioning "the tenacious defense of the Chinese army in Shanghai made the Japanese pay a heavy price, demonstrating the determination of Chinese military and civilians to resist," and praised the bravery and sacrifice of the Chinese army. Time magazine, when reporting the Battle of Shanghai, commented: "The battle of Shanghai was militarily useless; in political significance, it was one of the greatest demonstrations of the war." It is noteworthy that the attitude of American media underwent substantial changes in different stages of China's War of Resistance. In the early stage, the attitude of American media was "neutral," but in the middle and later stages, this attitude underwent a major shift, paying more attention to China's War of Resistance and the common interests of the anti-fascist countries. This shift had an important impact on the attitude of the U.S. government and public, and even influenced the direction of international public opinion. International media reported promptly to the world on all aspects of China's War of Resistance, as well as the major shift in American media attitudes, helping China to more effectively win international sympathy, support, and assistance.

1937年卢沟桥事变后，《纽约时报》发表多篇报道，详细描述中国军队在卢沟桥等地的英勇抵抗，指出“在装备劣势的情况下，依然顽强抗击日军”，称赞中国军队的顽强斗志和牺牲精神。1938年武汉会战期间，该报又报道了中国军队在武汉地区的顽强防守，认为中国军队的表现令人钦佩。1937年淞沪会战期间、1940年枣宜会战期间，《伦敦时报》发表多篇报道，提到“中国军队在上海的顽强防守，让日军付出了沉重代价，展现了中国军民的抗战决心”，称赞中国军队的英勇无畏和牺牲精神。美国《时代》周刊在报道淞沪会战时，评价“上海之战在军事上无益可言，在政治意义上，这是战争的最大示威之一”。值得注意的是，美国媒体在中国抗战不同阶段所持的态度有着实质性的不同。在抗战初期，美国媒体的态度表现为“中立”，而到了抗战中后期，这一态度发生了重大转变，更加关注中国抗战及世界反法西斯国家的共同利益。这种转变，对美国政府及公众态度产生了重要影响，甚至左右着国际舆论的走向。国际媒体及时向世界报道中国抗战的各方面情况，以及美国媒体态度所发生的重大转变，有助于让中国更加有力地赢得国际社会的同情、支持与援助。

During this period, China also invited international media journalists to cover the War of Resistance, showing the true scenes of China's War of Resistance and the anti-war spirit of the Chinese people to the international community. American journalist Edgar Snow, after conducting in-depth interviews in the revolutionary base areas of northwest China, wrote the book Red Star Over China. In the book, he highly praised the anti-Japanese forces led by the CPC, pointing out that "the armies led by the Communist Party of China, even in difficult circumstances, could still organize effective resistance, reflecting the tenacity and unity of the Chinese people," and believed that "they were the backbone of the resistance against Japanese aggression, providing powerful spiritual impetus for the liberation cause of the Chinese people." In October 1937, British journalist James Bertram, after a conversation with Mao Zedong, spoke highly of China's anti-Japanese forces. He believed that "any army in the world that confronts the full force of a waking China is bound to fail," and "the armies led by the Communist Party of China are forces with strong combat effectiveness and cohesion, and are the backbone of the resistance against Japanese aggression." In 1944, after visiting Yan'an, the U.S. Army Observer Group highly evaluated the armies led by the CPC, calling them "a young, well-fed, well-trained army. The soldiers are all volunteers, quite intelligent, and have high morale." The reports of these foreign media journalists reflected China's important position and contributions in the World Anti-Fascist War, effectively won international support and assistance, and played a crucial role in shaping China's image.

这一时期，中国还邀请国际媒体记者采访抗战情况，向国际社会展示中国抗战的真实场景和中国人民的抗战精神。美国记者埃德加·斯诺在深入中国西北革命根据地实地采访后，撰写了《红星照耀中国》一书。他在书中高度评价了中国共产党领导的抗日力量，指出“中国共产党领导的军队在艰苦的环境中，仍然能够组织有效的抵抗，体现了中国人民的坚韧和团结”，认为“他们是抗击日本侵略的中坚力量，为中国人民的解放事业提供了强大的精神动力”。1937年10月，英国记者詹姆斯·贝特兰在与毛泽东的谈话中对中国的抗战力量作出高度评价，他认为，“世界上任何军队，如要对抗苏醒中的中国的全部力量，必遭失败”，“中国共产党领导的军队是一支具有强大战斗力和凝聚力的部队，是抗击日本侵略的中坚力量”。1944年，美军观察组在延安访问后，高度评价了中国共产党领导的军队，称其“是一支年轻力壮、丰衣足食、训练有素的部队。士兵们都是自愿参军，颇为聪慧，且士气高昂”。这些外国媒体记者的报道，体现了中国在世界反法西斯战争中的重要地位和所作贡献，有力赢得了国际社会的支持与援助，为塑造中国形象发挥了至关重要的作用。

The experience of China in building a national image in the international public opinion arena during the War of Resistance Against Japan is of great enlightening significance for China to innovate the Chinese narrative model of international communication in the New Era and to build an efficient and powerful international public opinion communication system.

抗日战争时期，中国在国际舆论场中关于构建国家形象的经验，对于我国在新时代创新国际传播的中国叙事模式，构建高效有力的国际舆论传播体系具有重要启发意义。

(The authors are a Ph.D. candidate at the School of Marxism, Zhengzhou University; and a professor at the School of Marxism, Zhengzhou University.)

（作者系郑州大学马克思主义学院博士研究生；郑州大学马克思主义学院教授）

Online editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心