Chapter 37 Talk with the delegation of the World Federation of Students[1]

(July 2, 1938) The first question: What is the significance and role of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region in China? Please tell us, we need to understand this very much. Answer: Only by understanding the nature of the border area can we understand its significance and role in China.What kind of place is the border region? In a word, it is a democratic anti-Japanese base area. First of all, on the public side, they all have their own organizations.People in the border areas, as long as they adhere to the principle of resistance against Japan, have their freedom of speech, publication, assembly and association, whether they are workers, peasants, businessmen, students, intellectuals, women, children, religious groups or freelancers. There is this freedom.The Communist Party and the border region government thus actively support them, help them, and enable them to develop more generally.Only the activities of traitors are restricted here, and traitors are not given any freedom.

Secondly, the border area has become an area of ​​direct resistance, where part of the Eighth Route Army and local armed forces remain.These armies also have a democratic spirit in their internal relationship between officers and soldiers, and in their external relationship with the people, so that the officers and soldiers can unite as one, and the army and the people can unite as one, so that they can demonstrate an invincible force in the War of Resistance Against Japan. Secondly, the education in the border areas is also anti-Japanese and democratic. You can see this spirit from the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University and Shanbei Public School.

Secondly, the same is true of the economic aspect, with the purpose of benefiting the War of Resistance and managing it with a democratic spirit.For example, the well-developed co-operatives here, after the farmers got the land, followed this spirit in agriculture, improving the people's lives and at the same time benefiting the anti-Japanese cause.There are taxes here, but there are no exorbitant and miscellaneous taxes. A unified progressive tax is implemented, which is in line with the above-mentioned purpose. Also, and most importantly, the governments at all levels in the Border Region are elected by the people.This proves that some people say that "workers and peasants with backward knowledge cannot implement the electoral system", which is not true.The result of popular election here is not bad, anyone with eyes can see it.When the people elect people they like to run government affairs, it is done very well. This is much better than the system of assigning officials to handle affairs. It is particularly active and effective in mobilizing people's forces to participate in the War of Resistance Against Japan.Different from the Soviets in the past, the scope of election and being elected has been expanded, that is, workers, farmers, women, intellectuals, students, businessmen, and property owners, as long as they do not oppose the Anti-Japanese War and have reached the age of 18, there are elections. and the right to be elected.

In all the aspects mentioned above, the combination of the War of Resistance Against Japan and the democratic system can achieve great results.Under this system, no matter what kind of occupation, no matter what kind of activity people are engaged in, they can develop their genius, and people of any ability can express it. Such is the nature, the peculiarity, of the Border Region.Once we understand this nature and characteristics, we can understand its significance and role in the whole country.The whole country should also adopt this system, combine the War of Resistance Against Japan with the democratic system, and strive for victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan through the universal implementation of the democratic system.If the people of the whole country have full freedom of speech, press, assembly, and association, the officers and soldiers of the army of the whole country will become one, and the army and the people will become one, and education will be carried out in the spirit of democracy throughout the country. , Governments at all levels across the country implement an electoral system and have people's representative bodies at all levels, and all of these are for the victory of the War of Resistance, and victory over Japan is just around the corner.Democracy has been formed in history in foreign countries, but it has not yet been implemented in China.The role of the border area is to set an example for the people of the whole country to make them understand that this system is the most beneficial to resist Japan and save the country, and it is the only correct way to resist Japan and save the country. This is the significance and role of the border area in the whole country.If this kind of system is to be adopted nationwide, it needs to be thoroughly understood by the people of the whole country and considered feasible before it can be implemented. Therefore, we welcome people from all parties and factions and people without party affiliation to come and take a look.There are quite a few people who come to see it, especially young students. Except for a few people who say that this system is not good, most people say it is good. This is something to be thankful for.The border area is a part of China. Under the leadership of the central government, it is the same as other parts of China, but there is one difference. This is an area where a democratic system has been implemented. This is the characteristic of the border area.We hope that this feature will be popularized in China.

Some people now hold two incorrect views on the border areas: one says that nothing is good in the border areas, and a small number of diehards say this, which is obviously not true.Another way of saying this place is like a holy paradise with no flaws is too much.To put it correctly, it should be like this: the democratic system and anti-Japanese spirit here are very good, and they are worthy of imitation and reference for the people of the whole country.But the work here is still limited by certain conditions, such as material difficulties, which is one example, and many jobs still need to be worked hard to be better. Not everything is so good that we have to seek improvement.Therefore, criticism from the outside world is welcome, which aggravates the efforts of the staff here, which is also to be pointed out.Thanks to your good intentions for visiting Yan'an, I welcome your criticisms and point out the shortcomings here in order to correct them and make them more conducive to the great cause of resisting Japan and saving the nation.

The second question: What is the current role of the CCP in the whole of China? Answer: This question is very simple.Persisting in the War of Resistance, the united front, and the protracted war are the basic propositions of the CCP at present, and this is where its work and role in the country lie. What does it mean to persevere in the war of resistance? Compromise or persist in the war of resistance, this is the question that exists.We advocate the war of resistance to the end and oppose any compromise.We are willing to work with the Kuomintang and other parties and the people of the whole country to persevere in the war of resistance and never waver until we regain the lost ground and hit the Yalu River.

What does it mean to stick to the united front? It means uniting the whole country to the end.Only by upholding the unity of the whole country can we persist in the war of resistance.Although there is national unity now, we need to be even more united. Not only do we need to unite a few parties, but we must also unite the people of the whole country.Only when people from all walks of life in the country are united in certain organizations and they all mobilize their enthusiasm for the war of resistance can it be considered that the united front has been consolidated and expanded. What does it mean to insist on a protracted war? There are two kinds of people in China now. One kind of people say, "China will perish and cannot engage in a protracted war"; protracted war".We believe that both opinions are wrong.First of all, China will never die.The reason is that although Japan is strong, it is inherently deficient and has many conflicts at home and abroad; although China is weak, it is a big country with many excellent conditions both at home and abroad.Therefore, although China lost many places during a certain period of the war, it was still able to persist in the war and win the final victory.But it is also difficult to defeat Japan quickly, because although there are possible conditions for victory, they cannot be fully realized quickly. This does not matter whether China's progress, Japan's internal collapse, or international assistance, It doesn't take a long time to achieve the goal.Therefore, we should prepare for a long-term war and cannot hope for immediate victory.

Thus, the current policy should be: first, persist in the War of Resistance; second, persist in the Anti-Japanese United Front; third, persist in the protracted war. What is the Chinese Communist Party doing across the country? It is doing these things.The CCP is willing to closely unite with all parties and factions and the people of the whole country, and must implement this policy. This is the role of the CCP in the whole country. The third question: Does China have any conditions to shorten the duration of this protracted war? Answer: To shorten the war time, three conditions must be strengthened.The first condition is that China's united front is further consolidated and expanded, which is fundamental.Under the policy of the united front, various tasks must be greatly developed and improved. The more developed and improved these tasks are, the shorter the war time will be.The second condition is the help of the people in Japan.Now this kind of help has begun, for example, their soldiers are unwilling to fight, some commit suicide, some surrender, and some distribute anti-war leaflets. The anti-war thinking of the Japanese people is also developing.If Japanese soldiers and people were more conscious, the war time could be shortened by one point.Another condition is the help of all countries in the world.We need the help of the students of the world, the people of the world, and the governments of all countries.If this help is greater and faster, our wars will be shortened.These three conditions are interrelated. If China speeds up its progress and solidarity, it will accelerate the development of the domestic power in Japan and the power in other countries around the world.If Japan and other countries in the world help us develop faster, our domestic anti-Japanese forces can also accelerate the development and progress.China's inflicting greater blows on Japanese imperialism means helping the Japanese people, which will accelerate the Japanese people's struggle for liberation.The same is true for the world. China's war of resistance is at the same time helping the people of the world to fight against the common enemy.Therefore, various anti-fascist forces in China, Japan, and the world influence each other and help each other.World peace cannot be divided, and the world is a whole. This is the characteristic of world politics today.If these three conditions are met for one more point, the war time can be shortened by one point.This is the task of the Communist Party of China, all anti-Japanese parties and all people, and it is also the task of all advanced political parties and all people in Japan and the world.Our war is a protracted war, but we should do our utmost to strive for the conditions to shorten the time as much as possible. Without these conditions, shortening the time is just a fantasy.

The fourth question: After the final victory of the War of Resistance, what will be the main task of the CCP? Answer: After the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, the main task of the Communist Party, in a word, is to establish a free and equal democratic country.In this country, there is an independent democratic government, a Congress representing the people, and a constitution that suits the needs of the people.All nationalities in this country are equal, and a union relationship is established under the principle of equality.In this country, the economy is developing upwards. Agriculture, industry, and commerce are all greatly developed, and the state and the people cooperate to manage them. An eight-hour work system is established. Farmers should have land. A unified progressive tax is implemented. Trade peacefully and conclude mutually beneficial agreements.In this country, the people have complete freedom of speech, press, assembly, association, and belief, the talents of all kinds of outstanding people can be developed, science and general culture can be improved, and there is no illiteracy in the country.In this country, the army is not against the people but with the people.Such a country is not yet a socialist country, and such a government is not a Soviet government, but a country and government that implements a thorough democratic system and does not destroy the principle of private property.This is the modern state of China, and China needs such a state very much.With such a country, China will leave its semi-colonial and semi-feudal status and become a country of freedom and equality. It will leave the old China and become a new China.The Communist Party is willing to unite all parties and people in the country, and everyone will work hard to build such a country.Such a country is what the people of the whole country have hoped and strived for for decades, and it is also what Mr. Sun Yat-sen hoped and strived for.The establishment of such a country did not begin the day after Japan was driven to the Yalu River. All the work during the War of Resistance was related to the establishment of such a country.However, many important tasks can only be completed after the victory of the Anti-Japanese War, such as basic economic construction and so on.In the War of Resistance, it was necessary to prepare the prerequisites for the establishment of such a country, the main thing being to drive out Japanese imperialism.Such a task should not only belong to the Communist Party, but should also belong to the Kuomintang and other revolutionary parties, and at the same time belong to the people of the whole country.This is China's historical mission.

The fifth question: What do you think are the main tasks of Chinese students and youths in the war of resistance? What are the main tasks of students and youths in the world in the movement to aid China? Answer: The tasks of Chinese youth can be divided into general and special tasks.The general tasks, which are the same as those mentioned above, are to persevere in the war of resistance, the united front, and the protracted war, drive out Japanese imperialism, and establish a free and equal democratic republic.This is the common task of Chinese people of all ages and occupations, without distinction.The difference lies in its special mission.What are the special tasks of Chinese youth? It is to fight for their own special interests, such as improving education and learning, having the right to participate in the national salvation movement while studying, and the right to organize student and youth groups and organize national salvation groups. Young people have the right to vote and be elected, poor students have the right to go to school free of charge, young people should go to the front in large numbers, and so on.

When it comes to the main task of the youths of the world to help China in the war of resistance, I think, first of all, through the World Federation of Students, let most youths and students in the world understand the need to jointly oppose Japan and help China, and let them understand that this kind of work is in harmony with Their own interests are related, because peace is indivisible, and fascist world aggression is the enemy of world peace.Secondly, the students are the bridge connecting the people. Through the students, the people of all nationalities understand the need to oppose Japan and help China, and the relationship between this work and their own interests.As for the specific ways of helping, such as using oral and written propaganda to persuade the people and the government to give us material help, not to buy Japanese goods or sell them to Japan, and even to organize an international anti-Japanese volunteer army, and prepare to come to China to participate at an appropriate time war and so on. You represent a large number of international student groups who came to China for inspection and gave us great sympathy. All Chinese people thank you. On behalf of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people, I salute you! I hope that after you go back, you will bring the truth of China’s great Anti-Japanese War to you. To the students and people of the world.We will always unite with you, fight for freedom and equality in China, and fight for eternal peace and eternal happiness in the world! According to the forty-fifth issue of "Liberation" published on July 15, 1938. -------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------ note [1] This is a conversation between Mao Zedong and the delegation of the World Federation of Students Ke Leman, Yade, Flood, and Lei Kenan in Yan'an.