Reporter: You advocate the formation of a national united front to wage a life-and-death struggle against Japanese imperialism and drive it out of China. Does this mean that China no longer needs foreign assistance and can defeat Japan on its own?

Mao replied: First, I would like to remind you that neither China nor Japan exists in isolation; the peace and chaos in the East are issues of global significance. Japan has secret allies—such as Germany and Italy—while China, to succeed in its resistance, must also seek support from other major powers. However, this does not imply that China cannot engage Japan in a decisive battle without external aid, nor does it mean we must secure such aid before launching our resistance.

China possesses immense potential, and in the great struggle ahead it will surely be able to organize itself into a powerful line of resistance. The Chinese people have come to deeply understand this strength through their past struggles and have found effective ways to harness it. Through long experience in politics, the masses have become adept at wielding their most potent weapons to oppose their enemies.

We firmly believe that the Chinese people will never surrender to Japanese imperialism. We intend to mobilize our vast potential to resist Japan, meeting the aggressor’s challenge with our utmost energy. In this struggle, final victory will undoubtedly belong to China. Of course, if China fights alone, the sacrifices will be greater and the war will last longer, for the Japanese army is well-equipped and enjoys the backing of its allies. Therefore, in order to defeat Japanese imperialism as quickly as possible with the fewest possible losses, China must first establish a united front within its own borders and then extend it to those great powers that are genuinely concerned about peace in the Pacific.

Question: Under what conditions can the Chinese people overcome Japan’s military might?

Answer: Three conditions can guarantee our victory: first, the establishment of a united front among all Chinese forces against Japanese imperialism; second, the formation of an international anti-Japanese front; and third, the outbreak of a popular revolution under the yoke of Japanese imperialist rule. Among these, however, the most crucial remains the unity of the Chinese people themselves.

Question: How long do you think such a war will last?

Answer: That depends on the strength of China’s political mobilization, the many favorable factors working against Japan, the extent of international assistance to China, and the pace of revolutionary developments in Japan. If China’s political mobilization is robust, if effective organizations are established both vertically and horizontally, if the international community—fully aware that its own interests are threatened by Japanese imperialism—provides substantial aid to China, and if a revolution breaks out swiftly in Japan, then this war could be brought to a swift conclusion. Should these conditions fail to materialize, the conflict will be prolonged, yet Japan will ultimately be defeated. The only difference will be that the cost will be far higher, turning this period into a time of great suffering for the entire world. For this reason, both the Chinese government and the Chinese people are prepared to join forces with any nation to shorten the duration of the war. Even so, should no one come to our aid, we shall fight alone.

Question: Do you believe the Soviet Union and Outer Mongolia will participate in this war to assist China, and under what circumstances?

Answer: Naturally, the Soviet Union is not an isolated state; it cannot remain indifferent to events in the Far East. It is compelled to act. Will it wait until Japan has conquered all of China and turned it into a base for attacking the Soviet Union? Or will it help the Chinese people throw off Japanese domination, achieve independence, and forge friendly relations with the Soviet people? I am convinced that the Soviet Union will choose the latter course.

We are confident that once the Chinese people begin their resistance and express a desire to establish friendly alliances with the Soviet Union and other friendly nations, the Soviet Union will certainly take the lead in extending a hand to us. Opposing Japanese imperialism is a global undertaking, and as part of the world, the Soviet Union can hardly remain more neutral than Britain or the United States.

Translator’s Note: This article is reprinted from “Selections on the War of Resistance.” It includes a brief self-introduction by the reporter, who states that he traveled to northern Shaanxi in early July, stayed there for four months, reached the Shaanxi–Gansu–Ningxia Border Region, spent a month at the front lines, interviewed senior Party and government officials in Yan’an, and had discussions with Chairman Mao on “many matters.” This piece was written in a question-and-answer format based on those conversations concerning the Sino-Japanese War.