II. A National Turning Point: from Decline to Rejuvenation

The Chinese War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression was one of the most important events in modern Chinese history. This war marked a major turning point in the Chinese nation's journey from decline to rejuvenation. Looking back on the humiliation and tragedy that spanned almost a century of modern Chinese history starting from the Opium War of 1840-1842, it is difficult to name any world power that did not participate in invasion and plunder in China. In spite of efforts by the Chinese time and again to resist this aggression, not a single war ended without China suffering defeat. But the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression was to be a different story. Progressively, the Chinese people came together, creating a great nationwide force for resistance against Japanese aggression and eventually securing complete victory for the first time in China's modern history in a war for national liberation.

The War of Resistance was a war that awakened and united the Chinese nation. Modern Chinese history is a history of long and tortuous struggles against aggression and invasion by imperialist powers. The unprecedented momentum of the War of Resistance shook the Chinese people to the core. It gave rise to the tremendous enthusiasm of all Chinese people for united resistance against foreign aggression, while at the same time demonstrating a noble spirit of resistance fueled by a strong sense of patriotism. The national awakening and unity witnessed during this War of Resistance were stronger and more extensive than in any other struggle waged by the Chinese people in their modern history, and ultimately determined the evolution and outcome of the war, China's victory in this war changed the humiliating position it had been in since the beginning of its modern history when it had been pushed around by imperialist powers. The victory dispelled the cloud of pessimism that had been hanging over the country as a result of repeated defeats in the wars over the previous century. It also encouraged the Chinese people to recover from the dark chasm of historic adversity, and regain their national dignity and confidence. The awakening and unity of the Chinese nation not only provided the strength needed to defeat the Japanese aggressors, but also continue to serve as a source of inexhaustible motivation for national rejuvenation and remain an invaluable legacy of the Chinese nation.

The War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression was a war that changed China's destiny. From the Opium War of 1840-1842 to the eve of the War of Resistance, on the world stage China was little more than a country subject to the bullying of foreign powers. Far from playing an important role in international affairs, China did not even qualify to enter into dialogue with foreign countries on an equal footing. A nation that suffers defeat after defeat may gain sympathy, but it certainly cannot command respect. The War of Resistance presented a historic opportunity for winning independence and liberation for the Chinese nation. With the great contribution the War of Resistance made to the Global War against Fascism, China regained respect from the international community and improved its international standing. China began to do away with many of the privileges that foreign countries had secured through unequal treaties with China, causing the system of unequal treaties imposed on China by world powers over the previous century to begin to crumble and reestablishing China's position as a major country on the world stage.

The War of Resistance was a war that promoted the historic process of China's new-democratic revolution. This was not only a national war for independence and liberation but also a process of profound social transformation for democracy and progress. During this war, the KMT and the CPC, the two major political forces in China, came together to resist foreign aggression with striking successes. But the KMT ruling clique headed by Chiang Kai-shek pursued a somewhat limited line of resistance, relying only on the government and the armed forces in its war effort. It was not prepared to go to the extent of mobilizing the people and was unwiling to give up its anti-Communist policy, and particularly during the later stages of the nationwide War of Resistance, it was to be seen increasingly strengthening its political autocracy and gradually losing popular support. For the Chinese Communists, represented by Mao Zedong, the primary consideration was the fundamental interests of the Chinese people. They mobilized, organized, and armed the people, and followed the line of complete resistance by the whole nation, gaining the support of the public, the democrat parties, and patriots without party affiliation. After China was baptized in the War of Resistance, significant changes took place in the balance of political power in Chinese society. A solid political foundation was developed and staunch popular support was won for establishing New China and achieving the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.