Report on the Situation and Tasks Delivered at the Luochuan Conference*
(August 22–25, 1937)


(1) The Current Situation. Due to the enemy’s superior strength and our own relative weakness, the War of Resistance Against Japan will inevitably be a protracted war. To secure victory in this war, it is essential to mobilize the entire nation—men and women, young and old—so that those with wealth contribute financially, those with physical strength offer their labor, and those with knowledge share their expertise, thus waging a nationwide war of resistance.

(2) The Question of Unity. This unity refers first to the cooperation between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. Although a united front has now been established, representing progress over the past, the Kuomintang remains reluctant to mobilize the masses or implement democratic politics and lacks genuine sincerity in cooperating with the Communist Party. Consequently, during the course of the war, there may still be instances of defeat, retreat, division, and temporary, localized compromises. Our Party must exert every effort to strive for the implementation of the Ten Major Principles for Resisting Japan and Saving the Nation, steadfastly opposing any erroneous policies that run counter to these principles, and safeguarding the united front. The other aspect of unity lies in rallying all social strata across the country to participate in the war of resistance, establishing a united front encompassing all parties, groups, sectors, and military units, as well as a broad united front comprising workers, peasants, soldiers, students, merchants, and all patriotic compatriots. To unite all anti-Japanese forces, the Party’s policies must be adjusted accordingly, including modifications to its policies toward the bourgeoisie, national industrialists and merchants, and intellectuals.

(3) On the Military Guidelines for the War of Resistance. After deployment to the front lines, our primary operational principle will be guerrilla warfare, supplemented by mobile warfare.

(4) On Establishing Anti-Japanese Base Areas. The main direction of our Red Army’s advance to the front is behind enemy lines, where we are to create anti-Japanese base areas. The establishment of these base areas is, in essence, a mass mobilization effort. Once the masses are mobilized, our army will have a steady supply of recruits, our armed forces can be expanded, our rear-area government strengthened, and the base areas developed, thereby fulfilling the Party’s mission of launching a comprehensive, nation-wide war of resistance and ultimately defeating the Japanese aggressors.