The Well-Deserved Mainstay

The formation and development of the discipline of China’s War of Resistance against Japan benefited from reform and opening up, as well as from the increasingly active international and domestic academic exchanges after the end of the Cold War. It has not only achieved remarkable research results but also attracted worldwide attention. At the same time, however, the tendency toward historical nihilism still appears from time to time in the field of War of Resistance studies. It recycles the false lies used by the diehard faction of the Kuomintang during the War of Resistance to slander the Chinese Communist Party’s status and role in the resistance, smearing the CCP as “roving but not striking,” and “seventy percent development, twenty percent coping, ten percent resisting,” [1]1 The “September 18th Incident” (1931) was a staged event used by Japan as a pretext to invade and occupy Northeast China. with the aim of erasing the CCP’s historical status and important contributions in the War of Resistance. This is a deliberate distortion and subversion of the history of the War of Resistance, greatly interfering with the historical memory of the War of Resistance and seriously hindering the transmission of the spirit of the War of Resistance. Therefore, it is necessary to clearly refute historical nihilism, clear the mud and stir up the clear, [2]2 The “July 7th Incident” (1937) was a clash near Beijing that triggered the full-scale outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War. set things right and consolidate the foundation, [3]3 The “Pingxingguan Victory” (September 1937) was the first major Chinese victory against Japanese forces in the full-scale war. fully recognize that the Chinese Communist Party was the mainstay of the War of Resistance against Japan, and uphold a correct view of the history of the War of Resistance.

中国抗战史学科的形成与发展得益于改革开放，以及冷战结束后日益活跃的国际国内学术交流，其不仅取得显著的研究成绩，而且备受世人关注。但与此同时，历史虚无主义倾向在抗战史研究领域仍时有出现，沿用抗战时期国民党顽固派诋毁中国共产党抗战地位与作用的虚假谎言，污蔑中国共产党抗战“游而不击”，“七分发展，两分应付，一分抗日”，意在抹杀中国共产党抗战的历史地位和重要贡献。这是对抗战史的故意歪曲和颠覆，极大地干扰了抗战历史记忆，严重妨碍了抗战精神的传承。因此，必须旗帜鲜明地批驳历史虚无主义，激浊扬清，正本清源，固本培元，充分认识中国共产党是抗日战争的中流砥柱，坚持正确的抗战史观。

The Vanguard of the Chinese Nation’s Resistance against Japan

中华民族的抗日先锋队

Under the grave situation in which the Sino-Japanese national contradiction was gradually rising to become the principal contradiction in Chinese society, the Chinese Communist Party was the first to raise the banner of resistance against Japan. On September 20, 1931, the third day after the September 18 Incident, [4]4 The “Hundred Regiments Offensive” (August-December 1940) was a large-scale campaign by the Eighth Route Army against Japanese forces in North China. the Central Committee of the CCP issued the “Declaration of the Chinese Communist Party on the Violent Occupation of the Three Eastern Provinces by Japanese Imperialism,” opposing Japan’s occupation of Northeast China. On September 22, the Central Committee of the CCP adopted the “Resolution of the Central Committee on the Incident of Japan’s Violent Occupation of Manchuria” concerning the September 18 Incident, proposing to arm the masses and carry out armed struggle; to establish anti-imperialist organizations, or seize leadership of existing anti-imperialist organizations, and carry out a lower-level united front against imperialism; [5]5 The “cage policy” was a Japanese strategy using blockhouses, railways, and blockades to contain and suppress Chinese communist forces. and to instigate mutinies and wage guerrilla warfare among the puppet troops in the Northeast, directly striking the Japanese aggressors. Within just a few days, the CCP’s pioneering actions in resisting Japan inspired the anti-Japanese spirit of the entire nation. On April 15, 1932, the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic issued a declaration of war against Japan, marking the Chinese Soviet Republic’s declaration of war on Japan and its decision to drive Japanese imperialism out of China through a national revolutionary war.

中国共产党在中日民族矛盾逐渐上升为中国社会主要矛盾的严峻形势下，率先擎起抗日大旗。1931年9月20日，即九一八事变后第三天，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》，反对日本侵占中国东北。9月22日，中共中央就九一八事变通过《中央关于日本帝国主义强占满洲事变的决议》，提出武装群众，进行武装斗争；成立反帝组织，或掌握已有的反帝组织的领导权，开展反帝的下层统一战线；在东北伪军中策划兵变和开展游击战争，直接打击日本侵略者。短短几日，中国共产党率先抗日的行动振奋了全国人民的抗日精神。1932年4月15日，中华苏维埃共和国临时中央政府宣布对日战争宣言，标志着中华苏维埃共和国对日宣战，决定以民族革命战争将日本帝国主义驱逐出中国。

To unite for resistance against Japan, the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic and the Revolutionary Military Committee of the Workers’ and Peasants’ Red Army issued a declaration in January 1933, expressing willingness to conclude agreements for joint military action against Japan with any armed forces under three conditions: an immediate cessation of attacks on Soviet areas, guarantees of the people’s democratic rights, and the arming of the people. In July 1934, the CCP dispatched the Red Army’s Seventh Army Corps under the name of the Advance Team for Resisting Japan and Saving the Nation [6]6 “Sparrow warfare” refers to small, highly mobile guerrilla units harassing enemy forces. to advance into Fujian and Zhejiang, calling on the people to support the northward-bound Advance Team for Resisting Japan and to actively participate in the anti-Japanese war. On December 9, 1935, to oppose the establishment of the “Ji-Cha Political Affairs Council,” [7]7 The “Seventh Congress of the Communist International” (1935) shifted the Comintern’s strategy to advocate for broad popular fronts against fascism. the CCP mobilized students in Beiping to hold a large-scale patriotic anti-Japanese movement, the famous December 9th Movement. On December 1, 1936, the CCP issued a telegram supporting the Suiyuan Resistance, [8]8 Zhao Yiman (1905-1936) was a Chinese communist resistance fighter captured and executed by the Japanese. calling on the entire nation to support the Suiyuan front, setting off a vigorous movement to aid Suiyuan and inspiring the anti-Japanese patriotic fervor of the whole nation. The CCP held high the banner of resistance against Japan, insisted on northward resistance, and always stood on the front line of the anti-Japanese struggle.

为团结抗日，中华苏维埃共和国临时中央政府、工农红军革命军事委员会于1933年1月发出宣言，表示愿意在立即停止进攻苏维埃区域、保证民众的民主权利和武装民众三个条件下同任何武装部队订立共同对日作战的协定。1934年7月，中国共产党派遣红军第七军团以抗日先遣队的名义向闽浙挺进，呼吁民众拥护北上抗日先遣队，积极参加反日战争。1935年12月9日，为反对成立“冀察政务委员会”，中国共产党发动北平学生举行大规模抗日爱国运动，此即著名的一二·九运动。1936年12月1日，中国共产党通电支持绥远抗战，号召全国人民支援绥远前线，掀起轰轰烈烈的援绥运动，激发了全国人民的抗战爱国热忱。中国共产党高举抗日大旗，坚持北上抗日，始终站在抗日斗争的最前线。

The Leading Core of the All-Nation War of Resistance

全民族抗战的领导核心

Based on changes in the balance of forces between the enemy and ourselves and the situation of the anti-Japanese struggle, the Chinese Communist Party advocated the establishment of a broad anti-Japanese national united front. In October 1935, the Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic and the Central Committee of the CCP issued the “Letter to All Compatriots on Resisting Japan and Saving the Nation” (the August First Declaration), [9]9 The “Eight Female Soldiers” (1938) were members of the Northeast United Anti-Japanese Army who drowned themselves rather than surrender. calling for an end to the civil war and united resistance against Japan. In December 1935, the Central Committee of the CCP held the Wayaobu Conference, [10]10 Yang Jingyu (1905-1940) was a prominent commander of anti-Japanese forces in Northeast China, killed in action. clearly stating that the Party’s basic strategic task was to establish a broad anti-Japanese national united front. Thereafter, the CCP gradually shifted from “resisting Japan and opposing Chiang” to “forcing Chiang to resist Japan.” On August 25, 1936, the CCP wrote a letter to the Kuomintang, pointing out that peace had long been hopeless and sacrifice had reached the final juncture, and that there was no way out except resolute resistance; it asked the Kuomintang: “Will you build an anti-communist united front, that is, a national subjugation united front, together with Japanese imperialism and the traitors? Or will you build an anti-Japanese united front, that is, a national salvation united front, together with the Chinese Communist Party and the entire nation?” The peaceful resolution of the Xi’an Incident [11]11 The “Five Heroes of Langya Mountain” (1941) were five Chinese soldiers who jumped off a cliff to avoid capture by Japanese forces. created conditions for establishing an anti-Japanese national united front based on Kuomintang-Communist cooperation. After the outbreak of the July 7 Incident in 1937, [12]12 The “Liu Laozhuang Company” (1943) was a company of the New Fourth Army that fought to the last man against Japanese forces. the CCP issued a telegram calling for an all-nation war of resistance. On September 22, the Central News Agency of the Kuomintang published the “Declaration of the Central Committee of the CCP on the Publication of Kuomintang-Communist Cooperation.” The next day, Chiang Kai-shek issued a statement that effectively recognized the legal status of the CCP, marking the formal formation of the anti-Japanese national united front.

中国共产党根据敌我力量对比和抗日斗争形势变化，倡导建立广泛的抗日民族统一战线。1935年10月，中华苏维埃共和国中央政府和中共中央发表《为抗日救国告全体同胞书》（即八一宣言），号召停止内战，一致抗日。1935年12月，中共中央召开瓦窑堡会议，明确提出党的基本策略任务是建立广泛的抗日民族统一战线。此后，中国共产党逐渐从“抗日反蒋”转向“逼蒋抗日”。1936年8月25日，中国共产党致书国民党，指出和平早已绝望、牺牲已经到了最后关头，除了坚决抗战外，别无他途；质问国民党：“是同日本帝国主义及汉奸们一道建立防共统一战线即亡国统一战线呢？还是同中国共产党及全国人民一道建立抗日统一战线即救国统一战线呢？”西安事变的和平解决，为建立以国共合作为基础的抗日民族统一战线创造了条件。1937年七七事变爆发后，中国共产党发表通电，号召全民族抗战。9月22日，国民党中央通讯社发表《中共中央为公布国共合作宣言》。翌日，蒋介石发表谈话，实际上承认了中国共产党的合法地位，标志着抗日民族统一战线正式形成。

During the all-nation War of Resistance, the Chinese Communist Party was a firm defender, consistent upholder, and active consolidator of the anti-Japanese national united front, always occupying the position of the leading core and playing a decisive role. As the Japanese aggressors became bogged down in the Chinese theater and intensified their political inducements to surrender, and as appeasement flourished in Europe along with the strategy of “diverting the trouble eastward,” [13]13 “Historical nihilism” refers to the distortion or denial of established historical facts, particularly regarding the CPC’s role in history. the CCP, on the one hand, exposed and criticized the “Far Eastern Munich” [14]14 “The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation” is a core political goal of the CPC, often associated with the “Chinese Dream.” conspiracy of the great powers, and on the other hand, put forward the three major slogans: “persist in resistance, oppose capitulation; persist in unity, oppose splits; persist in progress, oppose retrogression,” and proposed the general tactical policy of “developing the progressive forces, winning over the middle forces, and isolating the diehard forces,” overcoming the danger of capitulation by the Kuomintang diehards. In response to the anti-communist military frictions initiated by the Kuomintang diehards, the CCP adopted the struggle principle of “justifiability, advantage, and restraint,” [15]15 A principle of struggle meaning to fight only when justified, with advantage, and with restraint, to avoid breaking the united front. seeking unity through struggle. Even after the Southern Anhui Incident in January 1941, [16]16 A major clash in January 1941 in which the Kuomintang attacked the CCP’s New Fourth Army, nearly destroying it. the CCP still prioritized the overall situation of the War of Resistance, struggling without breaking relations, and always maintaining the anti-Japanese national united front. Time and again, the CCP resolved the dangers of capitulation and splits by the Kuomintang diehards, enduring humiliation and bearing heavy burdens for the sake of the overall situation, becoming the strong core of united resistance. Under the leadership of the CCP, the anti-Japanese national united front inspired the anti-Japanese patriotic fervor of the entire nation, uniting in common hatred against the enemy, with one heart and one mind, and sharing the national crisis, laying a solid mass and social foundation for the War of Resistance. This was the fundamental political guarantee for victory in the War of Resistance.

中国共产党在全民族抗战时期是抗日民族统一战线的坚定维护者、始终坚持者和积极巩固者，始终处于领导核心的地位，发挥着决定性作用。随着日本侵略者深陷中国战场和加大政治诱降力度，以及当时欧洲兴盛绥靖主义和“祸水东引”谋略，中国共产党一方面揭批列强的“远东慕尼黑”阴谋，另一方面提出“坚持抗战，反对投降；坚持团结，反对分裂；坚持进步，反对倒退”的三大口号，提出“发展进步势力，争取中间势力，孤立顽固势力”的策略总方针，克服了国民党顽固派的投降危险。针对国民党顽固派发起的反共军事摩擦，中国共产党采取“有理、有利、有节”的斗争原则，以斗争求团结。即使在1941年1月皖南事变后，中国共产党仍以抗战大局为重，斗而不破，始终维护抗日民族统一战线。中国共产党一次次化解国民党顽固派的投降、分裂风险，忍辱负重，顾全大局，成为团结抗战的坚强核心。在中国共产党的领导下，抗日民族统一战线激发了全国各族人民同仇敌忾、众志成城、共赴国难的抗日爱国热情，为抗战奠定了坚实的群众基础和社会基础。这是抗战之所以取胜的根本政治保证。

The Line of Total Resistance and Protracted War

全面抗战路线和持久战

To defeat the powerful Japanese aggressors, it was necessary to mobilize the masses, arm the masses, and wage a people’s war. After the September 18 Incident, the CCP organized the masses to oppose Japan’s occupation of the three Eastern Provinces, instructing Party organizations everywhere to establish “Support Associations for the Northeast Volunteer Army” and “Northward Death-Defying Corps,” mobilizing workers and peasants everywhere to join the Northeast Volunteer Army and anti-Japanese work. On July 23, 1937, Comrade Mao Zedong published “Policies, Measures, and Perspectives for Resisting the Japanese Invasion,” proposing the total mobilization of the entire army and people to win national freedom and liberation through resistance. In August, the Central Committee of the CCP adopted the “Ten-Point Program for Resisting Japan and Saving the Nation” at the Luochuan Conference, [17]17 A CCP Politburo meeting in August 1937 that adopted the Ten-Point Program for total resistance against Japan. pointing out that to defeat the Japanese aggressors, it was necessary to arm the people, mobilize the entire people to contribute their strength, money, weapons, and knowledge, improve the people’s livelihood, and implement anti-Japanese national unity. The CCP scientifically formulated and resolutely implemented the line of total resistance, plunging the Japanese aggressors into the vast ocean of a people’s war.

要打败强大的日本侵略者，必须发动群众、武装群众，实行人民战争。九一八事变后，中国共产党组织群众反对日本侵占东三省，指示各地党组织成立“东北义勇军后援会”“北上决死团”，动员各地工人、农民参加东北义勇军及抗日工作。1937年7月23日，毛泽东同志发表《反对日本进攻的方针、办法和前途》，提出全国军队和人民总动员，以抗战争取民族自由解放。8月，中共中央在洛川会议上通过《中国共产党抗日救国十大纲领》，指出为打败日本侵略者，必须武装人民，动员全国人民有力出力、有钱出钱、有枪出枪、有知识出知识，改良人民生活，实行抗日的民族团结。中国共产党科学制定和坚决执行全面抗战路线，使日本侵略者陷入人民战争的汪洋大海之中。

In view of the contradictory characteristics of the enemy being strong and we being weak, the enemy being small and we being large, the enemy being retrogressive and we being progressive, and the enemy being unjust and lacking support while we are just and enjoy abundant support, Comrade Mao Zedong published classic works such as “Problems of Strategy in Guerrilla War against Japan” and “On Protracted War” in May-June 1938, providing the magic weapon for defeating the enemy in the War of Resistance. Comrade Mao Zedong pointed out that China’s War of Resistance would neither result in “national subjugation” nor “quick victory,” but would be a protracted war, inevitably going through three stages: strategic defense, strategic stalemate, and strategic counter-offensive, breaking the ideological confusion of many people and pointing out the path and method for certain victory in the War of Resistance. He believed that the foundation of protracted war lies in the people, and that only with the support of the people could independent guerrilla warfare be waged. Especially in the strategic stalemate stage, guerrilla warfare was the main form of operations, while mobile warfare and positional warfare were supplementary forms. However, when it developed into the strategic counter-offensive stage, mobile warfare would rise to become the main form of operations. He dialectically proposed flexible and mobile strategic tactics such as quick-decision offensives within a protracted war, offensives within the defensive, and operations on exterior lines within interior lines, guiding the battlefields behind enemy lines from victory to victory.

鉴于敌强我弱、敌小我大、敌退步我进步、敌失道寡助我得道多助的矛盾特点，毛泽东同志在1938年五六月间发表《抗日游击战争的战略问题》《论持久战》等经典论著，为抗战寻得克敌制胜的法宝。毛泽东同志提出，中国抗战既不会“亡国”，也不可能“速胜”，而是持久抗战，必将经历战略防御、战略相持、战略反攻三个阶段，打破了不少人的思想迷惘，指明了抗战必胜的路径与方法。他认为，持久战的基础在人民，而只有获得人民支持，才能开展独立自主的游击战。尤其是在战略相持阶段，游击战是作战的主要方式，而运动战和阵地战是辅助形式。但是发展到战略反攻阶段，运动战就上升为主要作战形式。他辩证地提出了持久战中的速决战、防御战中的进攻战、内线作战中的外线作战等灵活机动的战略战术，指导着敌后战场从胜利走向胜利。

The Battlefields Behind Enemy Lines Gradually Becoming the Main Battlefield

渐成主战场的敌后战场

After the September 18th Incident, under the Nationalist government’s policy of non-resistance, most of the Northeast Army withdrew inside the Shanhai Pass. The Chinese Communist Party and the anti-Japanese armed forces it led persisted in fighting amid the white mountains and black waters, emerging and disappearing in deep mountains and dense forests, accumulating small victories into major ones, and effectively pinning down Japan’s aggression against the interior regions. On September 18, 1933, the South Manchuria Guerrilla Force was reorganized into the Independent Division of the First Army of the Northeast People’s Revolutionary Army. By January 1936, six armies of the Northeast People’s Revolutionary Army had been established. This force became a crack contingent active behind enemy lines. In February 1936, the Northeast People’s Revolutionary Army began to be reorganized into the Northeast United Anti-Japanese Army, expanding to 11 armies with over 30,000 troops. They galloped across the Northeast anti-Japanese battlefield, dealt heavy blows to the colonial rule of the Japanese puppet regime, and effectively supported the anti-Japanese struggles throughout the country.

九一八事变后，在国民党政府的不抵抗政策下，大部分东北军退入关内，中国共产党及其领导的东北抗日武装坚持战斗在白山黑水之间，出没于深山密林之中，积小胜为大胜，有力地牵制了日本对关内地区的侵略。1933年9月18日，南满游击队改编为东北人民革命军第一军独立师，1936年1月建立起东北人民革命军的6个军。这支队伍成为活跃于敌后的一支劲旅。1936年2月，东北人民革命军开始改编为东北抗日联军，扩充为11个军，3万余人。他们驰骋于东北抗日战场，沉重打击了日伪的殖民统治，有力地支持了全国各地的抗日斗争。

After the July 7th Incident, the Chinese Communist Party and the Eighth Route Army, the New Fourth Army, and the South China People’s Anti-Japanese Guerrilla Forces it led penetrated deep behind enemy lines, extensively establishing anti-Japanese base areas in North China, Central China, and South China, and opening up an even broader enemy rear battlefield. They adhered to independent guerrilla warfare but did not relax mobile warfare under favorable conditions, creatively carrying out diverse tactical methods of guerrilla warfare such as ambushes, sabotage operations, landmine warfare, tunnel warfare, and sparrow warfare, flexibly striking the Japanese invaders, actively supporting operations on the frontal battlefield, and achieving brilliant results. For example, in September 1937, the Pingxingguan Victory, the first major victory achieved by Chinese troops in an active offensive against Japan after the outbreak of the all-out War of Resistance, shattered the Japanese army’s so-called “invincible” myth. In August 1940, the Eighth Route Army launched the Hundred Regiments Offensive. By early December 1940, the military and civilians behind enemy lines had fought 1,824 engagements, killing or wounding over 25,000 Japanese and puppet troops, capturing 281 Japanese soldiers and over 18,000 puppet troops, dealing a heavy blow to the Japanese army’s “cage policy” and inspiring the entire nation’s confidence in the inevitable victory of the War of Resistance. The Japanese, having been severely struck, exclaimed that “North China must be re-evaluated,” and shifted their focus to “mopping-up operations,” “clearance campaigns,” and “public security strengthening movements” against the various anti-Japanese base areas. From then on, the enemy rear battlefield became the main battlefield of the War of Resistance, coordinating with and supporting the frontal battlefield, jointly forging the great victory of the War of Resistance.

七七事变后，中国共产党及其领导的八路军、新四军、华南人民抗日游击队等纷纷深入敌后，在华北、华中、华南等地广泛建立抗日根据地，开辟了更加广阔的敌后战场。他们坚持独立自主的游击战，但不放松有利条件下的运动战，创造性地开展形式多样的伏击战、破袭战、地雷战、地道战、麻雀战等游击战的战术战法，机动灵活地打击日本侵略者，积极支援正面战场作战，取得辉煌战绩。例如，1937年9月，全民族抗战爆发后中国军队主动对日作战取得的第一个重大胜利的平型关大捷，打破了日军所谓“不可战胜”的神话。1940年8月，八路军发动百团大战，到1940年12月初，敌后军民共作战1824次，毙伤日、伪军2.5万余人，俘日军281人、伪军1.8万余人，给日军的“囚笼政策”以沉重打击，振奋了全国人民抗战必胜的信心。遭到痛击的日军惊呼“对华北应有再认识”，重点转向对各抗日根据地的“扫荡”“清乡”和“治安强化运动”。从此，敌后战场成为抗日战争的主战场，与正面战场相互配合、相互支援，共同铸就了抗日战争的伟大胜利。

Consolidating International Anti-Fascist Forces

凝聚国际反法西斯力量

From the joint declaration issued by the Chinese Communist Party and the Japanese Communist Party after the September 18th Incident opposing Japan’s occupation of Northeast China, to the proposal by the Provisional Central Government of the Chinese Soviet Republic on April 15, 1932 to unite the world’s proletariat and oppressed nations against Japanese imperialist aggression, the Chinese Communist Party actively contacted progressive figures from various countries to consolidate international anti-fascist forces. Following the Seventh Congress of the Communist International in 1935, which proposed establishing an international anti-fascist united front, the Chinese Communist Party called for uniting all people opposed to imperialism and all nations and countries sympathetic to China’s national liberation movement. On February 11, 1938, Comrade Mao Zedong delivered a speech at the Yan’an Anti-Aggression Conference, stating: “Now there are three anti-aggression united fronts: China’s united front, the world’s united front, and there is also Japan’s united front… These three united fronts, like the rising sun, are moving in a direction of increasing consolidation and expansion, and final victory will surely belong to us.” This resounding assertion demonstrated the firm belief in the inevitable victory of justice.

从九一八事变后中国共产党、日本共产党联合发表反对日本侵占中国东北的宣言，到1932年4月15日中华苏维埃共和国临时中央政府提出联合全世界无产阶级、被压迫民族，反对日本帝国主义侵略，中国共产党积极联络各国进步人士，凝聚国际反法西斯力量。随着1935年共产国际七大提出建立国际反法西斯统一战线，中国共产党呼吁联合一切反对帝国主义的民众，联合一切同情中国民族解放运动的民族和国家。1938年2月11日，毛泽东同志在延安反侵略大会上发表演说，指出：“现在有三个反侵略的统一战线：中国的统一战线，世界的统一战线，还有一个是日本的统一战线……这三种统一战线，正如日初升，向着日益巩固日益扩大的方向走去，最后的胜利必属于我们。”这一掷地有声的论断展现了正义必胜的坚定信念。

On October 26, 1941, representatives from 18 nations and ethnic groups, including Vietnam, Korea, Burma, Thailand, Malaya, the Philippines, India, and Japan, gathered in Yan’an to convene the Congress of the Oppressed Nations of the East for the Anti-Fascist Struggle. They decided to establish the Anti-Fascist League of the Oppressed Nations of the East and found the Oriental Nationalities College, with the aim of coordinating and uniting the anti-Japanese forces of the Eastern nations. On December 9, the Central Committee of the CPC adopted the “Declaration of the Chinese Communist Party on the Pacific War,” formally announcing to the world the Party’s policy of establishing an anti-Japanese united front with Britain, the United States, and other countries. China also actively strengthened its strategic coordination with the Soviet Union, the United States, Britain, and other countries. On New Year’s Day 1942, led by China, the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union, 26 countries fighting against the Axis powers of Germany, Italy, and Japan (commonly known as the Allied nations) signed the “Declaration by United Nations” in Washington. The signing of the joint declaration marked the formal establishment of the international anti-fascist united front, creating the conditions for achieving the common goal of defeating fascism.

1941年10月26日，来自越南、朝鲜、缅甸、泰国、马来亚、菲律宾、印度、日本等18个国家和民族的代表齐聚延安，召开东方各民族反法西斯代表大会，决定成立东方各民族反法西斯联盟，成立东方民族学院，目的就是协调和团结东方各民族反日力量。12月9日，中共中央通过《中国共产党为太平洋战争的宣言》，正式向全世界宣布中国共产党确立与英美等国建立反日统一战线的政策。中国也主动加强与苏、美、英等国的战略协调关系。1942年元旦，由中、美、英、苏四国领衔，26个参加对德、意、日轴心国作战的国家（通称同盟国），在华盛顿签署《联合国家宣言》。联合宣言的签订，标志着国际反法西斯统一战线的正式建立，为实现战胜法西斯的共同目标创造了条件。

Forging the Great Spirit of the War of Resistance

铸就伟大的抗战精神

During China’s arduous 14-year War of Resistance, millions of anti-Japanese heroes shed their blood and sacrificed their lives, making significant contributions to the victory of the war. The anti-Japanese heroine Zhao Yiman, after being captured, preferred death to surrender and died a martyr’s death. The eight female soldiers of the Northeast United Anti-Japanese Army, after fighting until their ammunition was exhausted, jumped collectively into the Wusuli River and died heroically. There were also Yang Jingyu, the commander-in-chief of the First Route Army of the Northeast United Anti-Japanese Army, who fought until his last breath; the “Five Heroes of Langya Mountain,” who jumped off a cliff to their deaths; and the “Liu Laozhuang Company” of the New Fourth Army. For national independence and liberation, they went through fire and water, dyed China with their blood, sounded a heroic song that shook heaven and earth, and wrote a powerful epic of the War of Resistance. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “In the magnificent process of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, a great spirit of the War of Resistance was forged. The Chinese people showed the world a patriotic sentiment of ‘everyone is responsible for the rise and fall of the nation,’ a national integrity of facing death unflinchingly and preferring death to surrender, a heroic mettle of defying brute force and fighting to the bitter end, and a firm belief in victory despite repeated setbacks and unyielding perseverance.” This important exposition profoundly elaborates on the core essence and intrinsic nature of the spirit of the War of Resistance. The great spirit of the War of Resistance has become an important component of the spiritual lineage of Chinese Communists.

在中国人民长达14年艰苦卓绝的抗战中，千千万万的抗战英雄抛头颅、洒热血，为战争胜利作出了重大贡献。抗日女英雄赵一曼被捕后宁死不屈，壮烈牺牲。东北抗联八位女战士与敌人战至弹尽粮绝，集体跳入乌斯浑河，英勇牺牲。还有战斗至生命最后一刻的东北抗日联军第一路军总司令杨靖宇、舍身跳崖的“狼牙山五壮士”、新四军“刘老庄连”等。他们为了国家独立和民族解放，赴汤蹈火，血染中华，奏响了气吞山河的英雄凯歌，书写了气势磅礴的抗战史诗。习近平总书记指出：“在中国人民抗日战争的壮阔进程中，形成了伟大的抗战精神，中国人民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。”这一重要论述深刻阐述了抗战精神的核心要义和内涵本质。伟大的抗战精神成为中国共产党人精神谱系的重要组成部分。

The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. To revisit the history of the War of Resistance, clear away the fog of historical nihilism, refute erroneous views that deny the Chinese Communist Party’s contribution to the War of Resistance, transmit correct historical memory, and inherit the great spirit of the War of Resistance, it is necessary to advance the study of the history of China’s War of Resistance in the New Era. First, we must adhere to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era. We must earnestly study General Secretary Xi Jinping’s relevant important expositions, deeply carry out systematic research and scholarly interpretation, and always maintain the correct political direction, academic orientation, and value orientation of research on the history of the War of Resistance. Second, we must adhere to a correct historical view of the War of Resistance. The Chinese Communist Party was the well-deserved mainstay of the War of Resistance. To discuss the history of China’s War of Resistance and the construction of its independent knowledge system while departing from this point easily falls into the rut of historical nihilism. Third, we must adhere to taking history as a mirror and creating the future. By studying the history of the all-out War of Resistance, drawing wisdom and strength from it, accelerating the construction and development of the discipline of the history of the War of Resistance, we can further stimulate the patriotic fervor of Chinese people at home and abroad, and consolidate the mighty force to devote ourselves to the great cause of building a strong country and the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

2025年是中国人民抗日战争暨世界反法西斯战争胜利80周年，重温抗战历史，廓清历史虚无主义迷雾，批驳否认中国共产党抗战贡献的错误观点，传递正确历史记忆，传承伟大抗战精神，必须推进新时代中国抗战史研究。一是坚持以习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想为指导。必须认真学习习近平总书记相关重要论述，深入开展体系化研究和学理性阐释，始终保持抗战史研究的正确方向、学术导向和价值取向。二是坚持正确抗战史观。中国共产党是抗日战争当之无愧的中流砥柱，脱离这一点谈中国抗战史及其自主知识体系构建，就容易陷入历史虚无主义的窠臼。三是坚持以史为鉴、开创未来。通过研究全民族抗战史，汲取抗战史的智慧与力量，加快抗战史学科的建设与发展，进一步激发海内外中华儿女的爱国热情，凝聚起投身强国建设、民族复兴伟业的磅礴伟力。

(Author: Xu Zhimin, Director of the National Social Science Fund project “Research on the Policy of the Modern Japanese Government towards Chinese Students in Japan,” Researcher at the Research Center for the Disciplinary System, Academic System, and Discourse System of Chinese History, Chinese Academy of History)

（作者：徐志民，系国家社科基金项目“近代日本政府的中国留日学生政策研究”负责人、中国历史研究院中国历史学学科体系学术体系话语体系研究中心研究员）

Online Editor: Tongxin

网络编辑：同心