May 15, 1937

People and armed comrades of Spain:

We, the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese Red Army, and the Chinese Soviet, hold that the war now being waged by the Spanish government is the most sacred war in the world. This war is fought not only for the life of the Spanish nation, but also for all oppressed peoples throughout the world, because the Spanish government is resisting the German and Italian fascists and the Spanish traitors who are destroying world civilization, culture, and human justice.

The Spanish government and people are now fighting against the German and Italian fascists, who are at the same time vigorously supporting the Japanese fascists attacking China in the Far East. The Japanese fascists are now attacking China with all their might. After seizing our four northeastern provinces, they have further invaded our northern and central regions. Without the assistance of the German and Italian fascists, the Japanese fascists would not be attacking China with the frenzy they show today. The Chinese Communist Party fully endorses the unity of all parties within the Popular Front, and we are likewise calling upon all parties and groups in China to form a national united front to oppose the Japanese fascists. Our work in this regard is being urgently carried out; when we achieve victory, we shall strike a blow against the Japanese fascists, which will in turn assist the Spanish people and their government.

We firmly believe that the struggle of the Chinese people cannot be separated from your struggle in Spain. The Chinese Communist Party is now helping and encouraging you, the Spanish people, through its struggle against the Japanese fascists. The Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese Red Army, the Chinese Soviet, and the Chinese people are immensely stirred by your defense of Madrid and by your victories on the northern and southern fronts. The newspapers in our Soviet districts publish daily news of your heroic struggle. We steadfastly believe that the unity of all parties within your Popular Front is the foundation of your final victory. We also fully endorse the ten-point program proposed by the Spanish Communist Party.

Your struggle and our struggle in the East are alike. In addition to what we have already mentioned, Trotskyite scoundrels have infiltrated into our ranks as well. Only by resolutely opposing these internal saboteurs can we strengthen our front. In waging the struggle against our own enemies, we are also helping your struggle in Spain.

In China, over a hundred journals and newspapers publish news, articles, and photographs about you, expressing sympathy for your heroic fight for democracy and freedom. We know that your victory will directly assist our struggle against the Japanese fascists. The cause you are striving for is also the cause we are striving for. We read with great excitement about the International Brigades composed of peoples from various countries, and we are very glad to know that Chinese and Japanese are participating in them. Many comrades in the Chinese Red Army wish to come to Spain to join your struggle. Not a day passes without discussions of your struggle and the overall situation in Spain. Were it not for the Japanese enemy before us, we would certainly join your ranks.

As you all know, the Chinese Red Army has endured ten years of unceasing, arduous struggle—with no financial resources, suffering from hunger and cold, and lacking supplies of weapons and ammunition—until at last we achieved our present victory. We know that you and your army are also enduring the same hardships we have experienced. We firmly believe that you will surely be victorious. Our ten years of struggle have shown us that if a revolutionary people and its army fear no hardship and resist the enemy with undaunted courage and indomitable spirit, they will assuredly achieve victory.

We, the Chinese Communist Party, the Chinese Red Army, the Chinese Soviet, and the Chinese people, extend our profound and comradely respect to you, the heroic men and women fighting for Spain’s democratic system. Through them, the oppressed peoples of the world manifest this boundless spirit of solidarity and fraternity. As in the past, we shall follow every hour and every day of your struggle, rejoicing and taking heart at all your victories. We believe that the ultimate victory will surely be yours.

Mao Zedong
Yan’an, Shaanxi
May 15, 1937