Comrades, you have come from all parts of the country—from the war zones, from the rear areas, from the Nanyang Islands—from distances of thousands upon thousands of li. Today we are holding the opening ceremony for the first session. I believe the Chinese Communist Party is very pleased about this commencement. It is therefore with great honor that I, on behalf of the CPC, welcome all of you. (Applause)

As I said the other day, you have not come here to seek promotion or personal gain; rather, you are prepared, or are preparing, to lay down your lives in the War of Resistance. Why, out of these one thousand five or six hundred of you, did none go elsewhere but came straight here? I think it is because of your faith in the Communist Party. Were it not for the Central Committee of the CPC being stationed here, you would not have come. For example, when you reached Yan’an, why did you not simply walk north through the North Gate? There are plenty of other places one could go, yet you stayed right here. Or take Xi’an: it is easily accessible, and there one would not have to live in cave dwellings or eat millet porridge. Nevertheless, you did not remain there; instead, braving hardship, you traveled eight or nine hundred li to arrive at this very place. There can be only one reason for this: the presence of the Chinese Communist Party, specifically the CPC Central Committee, here.

So what advantages does the Communist Party offer? Why do you hold it in such high regard? The Japanese imperialists certainly do not like the Party, nor do many others. In the past, there were numerous caricatures depicting Communists—with hair standing on end, (laughter throughout the hall) teeth long and sharp, their faces round as those of demons. (Laughter) These images also showed Communists committing murder and arson—not only “communing” but even “communing with wives.” (Laughter) Yet you do not see the Party in that light. One comrade told me that, back home, he had imagined the Communists must be quite ugly. But once he arrived here and took a closer look, he found them neither ugly nor unattractive—in fact, rather handsome. (Laughter throughout the hall) I would say the same: they are indeed quite appealing, though still with certain imperfections, so I would describe them as “rather handsome.” It is precisely because of this that people place their trust in the Party and make the arduous journey to join it.

Why is it that the Party enjoys your support while provoking the hostility of Japanese imperialism and certain others? I believe it is due to its distinctive qualities—those aspects in which it excels over others. First and foremost, it possesses a clear political orientation, an orientation shared by the vast majority of our people: to overthrow imperialism and establish democratic government. This political line embodies the aspirations of the overwhelming majority of the Chinese nation. From the very day of its founding, the Communist Party has steadfastly adhered to this course. Externally, faced with imperialist oppression, we must raise the banner of anti-imperialism. Domestically, certain outdated and decaying institutions must be swept away, giving way to a democratic political system. Over the past seventeen years, this has been the overarching direction set forth by the CPC—a direction endorsed by the entire nation. Another guiding principle is the socialist ideal. Consider this: once democracy is established, shall we then cease striving altogether? On the contrary! We must continue to advance. And where may we turn for further education? To the Socialist University, which alone can bring the greatest happiness to the people. We cannot stop short at the threshold of democracy; we must press onward along the socialist path. To reach that goal, however, we must first follow the present course, guided by our current political orientation.

Why is it that the Chinese people hold the Communist Party in such special esteem? Because it not only articulates a sound political program but also remains unwavering in its commitment to that program. Some critics claim that the Party is constantly changing—for instance, that Shaanbei Public School has undergone numerous transformations within a matter of months. They point to certain institutions that have existed unchanged for decades, even maintaining the very textbooks used since the early days of the Republic. We, by contrast, acknowledge our capacity for evolution. Over the past seventeen years, the CPC has experienced three major shifts: first, during the Domestic Revolutionary War from 1924 to 1927; second, in the Soviet movement; and third, from after the September 18 Incident through the Xi’an Incident up to the present united front. Indeed, the Party has evolved. But has its fundamental political orientation remained constant? Absolutely. What was the aim of the First Revolution? To overthrow imperialism and establish democracy. What drove the Soviet movement? The same objective: to defeat imperialism and build a democratic state. And now, in this War of Resistance, we continue to pursue that very same overarching goal. Your school song contains the line: “We are loyal to the cause of national liberation.” That is most fitting. For seventeen years, the CPC has remained true to that very cause. It has not only formulated a political program embraced by the entire nation but has also persevered in its implementation. Others, however, lack such consistency—and indeed, actively resist it. We have scaled the most formidable mountains, forded treacherous rivers, crossed vast grasslands, and endured the threat of execution; hundreds of thousands of our comrades have fallen in battle. Yet we press forward—some succumbing to death, others treading over their blood-soaked remains—holding aloft our bright red banners and marching ever onward! (Applause) This is precisely what makes the Party so beloved by the Chinese people.

A second key characteristic lies in its style of work, its habit of relentless struggle. Lu Xun had his own style; Antai had its own; and Shaanbei Public School likewise possesses its distinct ethos. The Communist Party, too, has its own style: arduous struggle! This is the hallmark of every Communist Party member, every revolutionary. A comrade recently received a letter from an Antai or Shaanbei graduate who had spent a long time in Yan’an without achieving much, merely climbing mountains day after day. With mountains everywhere, why would anyone choose to climb yet more—at the hands of the Communists? (Laughter throughout the hall) He described himself as an opponent of mountain-climbing. (Laughter) I, for one, am a fervent advocate of it. I am not sure whether Shaanbei requires daily climbs, but Antai does. (A voice: “Shaanbei does too.”) In my view, mountain-climbing is essential. Marxism provides the head; humans need both head and feet. Mountain-climbing represents those feet. To vanquish Japanese imperialism, we must march forward with resolute determination. This spirit of persistent effort has become deeply ingrained throughout the Party—an exemplar is Cheng Fangwu. Beyond educating each member to uphold the Party’s political line, we also insist upon a specific work ethic: one of candor and truthfulness, unafraid of any difficulty, confronting all unhealthy tendencies and the enemies of our nation. Wherever the Party speaks out against Japan, it truly fights against Japan; wherever it champions democracy, it genuinely strives to realize democratic principles; and whenever it combats corruption, it rigorously prosecutes those who engage in wrongdoing. Most Party members embody this spirit. Of course, there are also a few who do not. Let us be clear: the Party is not some venerable elder residing atop a mountain, training disciples in secret arts before dispatching them down the slope in successive batches. (Laughter) Consequently, a small minority may fall short. However, the record of the past seventeen years demonstrates that the vast majority have remained steadfast, laboring tirelessly. Among them stands a distinguished cadre whose exemplary conduct is a source of pride for our nation. The fact that you, our fine young men and women, have rallied around the Party is likewise a matter of national honor. Yet even within our ranks there exist a handful of individuals who have made a career of seeking office and wealth, pursuing these aims within universities and research institutes. Nevertheless, the preponderance of good elements far outweighs the few who deviate from the correct path. Many of those who have joined the Party share a genuine desire to serve the nation, renouncing both ambition and personal gain, willing to sacrifice everything for the cause. Such individuals, however, constitute an absolute minority. Thanks to this cadre of outstanding members, the Party has been able to maintain its political orientation, sustain its ethos of arduous struggle, and advance steadily toward national liberation. (Applause) It is these two qualities—the Party’s unwavering political line and its indomitable work ethic—that have earned it the affection of the Chinese people. Some may now perceive the Party as particularly attractive, but in truth it has always possessed this appeal; it was merely misrepresented by earlier caricatures that sought to vilify it. We, too, have indulged in such depictions at times, (laughter) though never to such an extreme extent. (Laughter) Now, however, such practices have largely ceased. As allies fighting on the same front, we treat one another with civility and refrain from mutual denigration.

Since Shaanbei Public School is holding its opening ceremony today, I ought to present a gift. Unfortunately, I have little to offer beyond two simple tokens. The first is an unshakable political orientation; the second, a spirit of arduous struggle. In the course of your future endeavors, you will undoubtedly encounter numerous and formidable challenges. The road ahead will be fraught with difficulties, and there are two possible responses. One is to retreat at the slightest setback—to flinch at a scratch or a prick, to shed a single tear, and then, faced with yet another obstacle, to conclude that heaven has sent down the waters of the Yellow River and burst into tears. (Laughter) Then one turns tail and walks away. (Laughter) The alternative is entirely different. One stumbles, rises again, and presses forward without ever relinquishing one’s banner. One seeks creative solutions—for example, if the direct ascent from the entrance of Cheng Fangwu’s cave proves impossible, one might circumvent the obstacle by taking a route from the south or choosing a less precipitous path. Through this War of Resistance, our nation has demonstrated precisely such a spirit: undaunted by any hardship, unyielding in the face of sacrifice, and resolute in pursuit of our common goal. It is this very resolve that will ensure our ultimate victory. You have embarked upon the right path, and your enthusiasm for learning is truly commendable. I wholeheartedly endorse Principal Cheng’s remarks just now regarding militarization, closer ties with the masses, and overcoming self-importance—sound advice indeed. These two gifts, then, are my humble offering. Whether they prove useful is for you to decide. Suffice it to say that, with a unified political orientation and a steadfast commitment to the ethos of arduous struggle, we can unite the entire nation and ultimately prevail over Japanese imperialism.