On the Policies, Measures, and Perspectives for
Resisting the Japanese Imperialist Invasion
(July 23, 1937)
Mr. Baichuan:
Your estimable telegram has been received. Your longstanding devotion to the
country is very much to be admired. The Japanese bandits are already set to
launch a massive attack, and nothing can be done to stop it. If they are allowed to
occupy Beiping and Zhangjiakou, then Shanxi and Suiyuan will be in danger.
We plan to demand with all our force that the Hebei and Chahar authorities
fulfill their obligation to defend firmly Beiping, Tianjin, Zhangjiakou, and other
places. It seems that some troop units should be sent toward Zhangjiakou to
provide reinforcements to Liu Ruming, while we forcefully demand that Mr.
Chiang send reinforcements northward to assist. It is just as you, sir, have
pointed out: There is no way to survive without waging a war of resistance.
Today the crucial moment has arrived in the defense of Beiping, Tianjin, and
Zhangjiakou. We beg you to consider our foolish views. When Zhou Xiaozhou
and Peng Yufeng¹ arrive, we beseech you to grant them the favor of receiving
them in person.
Mao Zedong


I. Two Policies¹
On July 8, the day after the Marco Polo Bridge incident, the Central Committee
of the Communist Party of China issued a manifesto to the whole nation calling
for a war of resistance. The manifesto reads in part:
"Fellow-countrymen! Beiping and Tianjin are in peril! North China is in peril!
The Chinese nation is in peril! A war of resistance by the whole nation is our
only way out. We demand an immediate and resolute counterattack² against the
invading Japanese armies and immediate preparations to meet all emergencies.
From top to bottom the whole nation must at once abandon any hope or expectation³ of being able to live in submissive peace with the Japanese bandits.
"Fellow countrymen of all China! We should acclaim and support the heroic
resistance of Feng Zhi'an's troops. We should acclaim and support the declaration of the local authorities of northern China that they will defend the homeland
to the death. We demand that General Song Zheyuan immediately mobilize the
entire Twenty-ninth Army and send it into battle at the front. Of the Central
Government in Nanjing we demand that effective aid be given to the Twentyninth Army; that the ban on the patriotic movement among the popular masses
be lifted immediately, and the spirit of armed resistance be given full play among
the people; that all naval, land, and air forces be mobilized at once for action;
that all Chinese traitors, elements selling out their country, and agents for the
Japanese bandits hidden within China's borders be purged right away so that our
rear may be consolidated. We call upon the people of the whole country to throw
all their strength behind the sacred resistance war of self-defense against Japan.
Our slogans are: Armed defense of Beiping, Tianjin, and North China! Prevent
Japanese imperialism from occupying an inch of China's territory! Defend our
homeland to the last drop of blood! Unite all compatriots, governments, and
armed forces throughout China to construct a national united front as a solid


Our source for this telegram is Mao Zedong junshi wenji, Vol. 2, pp. 7-8, where it is
reproduced from a copy in the Central Archives.


Zedong ji, Vol. 5, pp. 237-47.

--- Notes

1. Zhou Xiaozhou was at this time Mao's secretary, who had been sent to Taiyuan to
discuss collaboration with Yan Xishan. Peng Yufeng (alternate name for Peng Xuefeng)
had also participated in negotiations regarding the passage of the Red Army through
Shanxi. (See above, Mao's letter to him dated December 20, 1936.)
This text was first published in Jiefang, No. 12 (August 15, 1937). Our source is Mao



1. Throughout this text, the term translated "policy" is fangzhen, which refers to the
general policy orientation, rather than to specific policies for dealing with particular
issues.

2. Counterattack Resistance

3. Hope or expectation → Idea