First Question: What is the significance and role of the Border Region in China at present? Please tell us, as we very much need to understand this point.

Answer: Only by understanding the nature of the Border Region can one understand its significance and role in China. What kind of place is the Border Region by nature? To sum it up in one sentence: it is a democratic anti-Japanese base area.

First, in terms of the populace, they all have their own organizations. The people of the Border Region, so long as they adhere to the principles of resisting Japan, enjoy freedom of speech, publication, assembly, and association. This applies to workers, peasants, merchants, students, intellectuals, women, children, as well as religious groups and associations of freelance professionals. The Communist Party and the Border Region government actively support and assist them, helping them to develop more widely. Only the activities of traitors are restricted here; no freedom whatsoever is granted to traitors.

Second, the Border Region has become a direct zone of resistance against Japan. Here, there is a part of the Eighth Route Army, as well as local armed forces. Within these troops, the relationship between officers and soldiers internally, and their relationship with the people externally, also embodies a democratic spirit. Officers and soldiers are integrated, and the military and civilians are integrated, demonstrating an invincible strength in the War of Resistance Against Japan.

Third, education in the Border Region is likewise anti-Japanese and democratic. You can see this spirit from the Anti-Japanese Military and Political University and the Northern Shaanxi Public School.

Fourth, the economic sphere is similarly oriented, with the main principle of benefiting the resistance, and managed with a democratic spirit. For example, the fairly well-developed cooperatives here and the farming by peasants who have obtained land are all conducted in accordance with this spirit, improving the people's livelihood while also benefiting the anti-Japanese cause. There are taxes here, but no harsh or miscellaneous levies; a unified progressive tax is implemented, consistent with the aforementioned principle.

Also, and most importantly, all levels of government in the Border Region are elected by the people through voting. Here, one point should be clarified: some say, "The system of elections cannot be implemented among peasants who are backward in knowledge." This does not conform to facts. The results of democratic elections here are not bad; anyone with eyes can see this. When the people elect those they like to handle government affairs, the work is done quite well, far better than the system of appointing officials. It is particularly proactive and effective in mobilizing manpower and strength to participate in the War of Resistance. What differs from the past Soviet system is that the scope of election and being elected has been expanded. That is to say, regardless of whether one is a worker, peasant, woman, intellectual, student, merchant, or person of property, as long as they do not oppose resistance against Japan and have reached the age of eighteen, they all have the right to elect and to be elected.

All the aspects described above, combining the War of Resistance Against Japan with the democratic system, have yielded very significant results. Under this system, no matter what profession one is in, no matter what activity one engages in, they can give play to their talents; people of whatever kind can show their abilities.

This is the nature of the Border Region, the characteristics of the Border Region. By understanding this nature and these characteristics, one can understand its significance and role across the whole country. The whole country should likewise adopt this system, combining the War of Resistance Against Japan with the democratic system, and strive for victory in the war through the widespread implementation of the democratic system. If the entire Chinese people have full freedom of speech, publication, assembly, and association; if officers and soldiers throughout the national army are integrated, and the military and civilians are also integrated; if national education is carried out in a democratic spirit; if national economic construction mobilizes the people's strength and integrates it with improving the people's livelihood; if all levels of government nationwide implement an electoral system with representative bodies at each level; and if all of this is for the purpose of winning victory in the resistance, then victory over Japan can be expected at any moment. The democratic system is already a thing of the past in foreign countries, but China has yet to implement it. The role of the Border Region is to serve as a model for the people of the entire country, to let them understand that this system is most beneficial for resisting Japan and saving the nation, and that it is the only correct path for doing so. This is the significance and role of the Border Region across the whole country. For this system to be adopted nationwide, it must be thoroughly understood by the people of the entire country, deemed feasible, and only then can it be implemented. Therefore, we welcome people from all parties and factions, as well as those with no party affiliation, to come and see. Quite a few people have come, especially young students. Except for a few who say this system is not good, the majority say it is good, which is something to be gratified by. The Border Region is a part of China, under the leadership of the central government, the same as other parts of China. But there is one difference: here is a region where the democratic system has been implemented. This is the characteristic of the Border Region, and we hope this characteristic will spread throughout China.

At present, some people hold two incorrect views about the Border Region: one says the Border Region is nothing good, as stated by a few die-hards; such a view is clearly not in line with the facts. The other says it is like a sacred paradise, without any shortcomings at all; this view is also excessive. The correct statement should be this: the democratic system and the anti-Japanese spirit here are very good and worthy of emulation and reference by the people of the entire country. However, the work here is still restricted by certain conditions, for example, material difficulties being one instance. Much work still requires continued effort to become better; it is not that everything is incomparably good and no further progress is needed. Therefore, we welcome criticism from outside, which intensifies the efforts of the people working here. This also needs to be pointed out. I appreciate your kind intention to visit Yan'an, and I welcome your criticism, pointing out the shortcomings here, so that they may be corrected, making the work more conducive to the great cause of resisting Japan and saving the nation.

Second Question: What is the role of the Chinese Communist Party in the whole of China at present?

Answer: This question is very simple. To persevere in the resistance, to persevere in the united front, and to persevere in the protracted war—these are the basic propositions of the Chinese Communist Party at present, and its work and role across the nation lie precisely herein.

What does it mean to persevere in the resistance? The question exists whether to compromise or to persevere in the resistance. We stand for carrying the resistance through to the end, opposing any compromise. We are willing, together with the Kuomintang, other parties and factions, and the people of the entire country, to persevere in the resistance, never wavering, until the lost territories are recovered and we fight all the way to the Yalu River.

What does it mean to persevere in the united front? It means the whole country unites to the very end. Only by persevering in national unity can we persevere in the resistance. Although national unity has already been achieved, we must become even more united. It is not enough to merely unite a few parties; we must also unite the people of the entire country. Only when people of all strata across the country are united within certain organizations and their initiative for the resistance is aroused can the united front be considered consolidated and expanded.

What does it mean to persevere in the protracted war? There are two kinds of people in China at present. One kind says: "China will perish; we cannot fight a protracted war." The other kind says: "China can quickly drive out Japanese imperialism, and there is no need for a protracted war." We believe both these opinions are incorrect. First, China will absolutely not perish. The reason is that although Japan is strong, it has inherent deficiencies and many domestic and international contradictions. Although China is weak, it is a large country and has many favorable conditions both at home and abroad. Therefore, although China loses many places during certain periods of the war, it still perseveres in the war and will achieve final victory. But it is also difficult to defeat Japan quickly, because although favorable conditions for winning victory exist, they cannot all be realized quickly. Whether it is China's progress, Japan's internal collapse, or international assistance, none can achieve its goal without a considerable length of time. So we should prepare for a long-term war and cannot hope for an immediate victory.

Thus, the current policy should be: first, persevere in the resistance; second, persevere in the anti-Japanese united front; third, persevere in the protracted war.

What do the Chinese Communists do across the nation? They do precisely these things. The Central Committee is willing to unite closely with all parties, factions, and the people of the entire country, and must carry this policy through to the end. This is the role of the Chinese Communist Party across the nation.

Third Question: Are there any conditions in China that can shorten the duration of this protracted war?

Answer: To shorten the duration of the war, three conditions must be strengthened. The first condition is the consolidation and expansion of China's united front. This is fundamental. Under the principle of the united front, all work must be greatly developed and advanced. For every increment of development and progress in this work, the duration of the war can be shortened by a corresponding increment. The second condition is assistance from the people within Japan. Such assistance has already begun now. For instance, their soldiers are unwilling to fight the war; there are those who commit suicide, those who surrender, and those who distribute anti-war leaflets. Anti-war sentiment among the Japanese people is also growing. If Japanese soldiers and the people become one increment more awakened, the duration of the war can also be shortened by one increment. There is another condition: assistance from various countries around the world. We need the help of the world's students, the help of the world's peoples, and also the help of various governments. If this assistance is greater and swifter, then our war will also be shortened. These three conditions are interconnected. If China accelerates its progress and strengthens its unity, it can accelerate the development of forces assisting us within Japan, and also accelerate the development of forces assisting us from various countries around the world. If the forces assisting us from Japan and various countries around the world develop faster, it can also accelerate the development and progress of our domestic anti-Japanese forces. The heavier blow China deals to Japanese imperialism is also assistance to the Japanese people, which will accelerate the development of the Japanese people's liberation struggle. The same holds true for the world. China's resistance is, at the same time, helping the world's peoples oppose the common enemy. Therefore, the various anti-fascist forces in China, Japan, and the world influence and assist one another. World peace cannot be divided; the world is a whole. This is a characteristic of current world politics. For every increment by which these three conditions are more fully met, the duration of the war can be shortened by one increment. This is the task of the Chinese Communist Party, all anti-Japanese parties and factions, and the entire people. At the same time, it is the task of Japan, all progressive political parties in the world, and all peoples. Our war is a protracted war, but we should strive with utmost effort for conditions that can shorten its duration as much as possible. Without these conditions, shortening the duration is mere wishful thinking.

Fourth Question: After final victory in the War of Resistance is won, what will be the main task of the Chinese Communist Party?

Answer: After victory in the War of Resistance, the main task of the Communist Party, to sum it up in one sentence, is to establish a free and equal democratic country. In such a country, there will be an independent democratic government, a parliament representing the people, and a constitution suited to the people's demands. All ethnic groups within this country will be equal, and under the principle of equality, relations of union will be established. In this country, the economy will develop upwards; agriculture, industry, and commerce will all see great development, operated through cooperation between the state and the people. An eight-hour working system will be established. Peasants should possess land. A unified progressive tax will be implemented. Peaceful trade will be conducted with foreign countries, and mutually beneficial agreements will be concluded. In this country, the people will have complete freedom of speech, publication, assembly, association, and belief. The talents of all kinds of outstanding people can be developed; science and general culture can be elevated, and illiteracy will be eliminated throughout the nation. In this country, the army will not be in opposition to the people but will be integrated with them. Such a country is not yet a socialist country, and such a government is not a Soviet government either; it is a country and government under the principle of implementing a thorough democratic system and breaking with the principle of private property. This is China's modern state, and China very much needs such a state. With such a state, China will have left its semi-colonial and semi-feudal status and become a free and equal country, having departed from the old China and become a new China. The Communist Party is willing to unite with all parties and factions and the people of the entire nation in striving to establish such a country. This is what the people of the entire nation have hoped for and striven for over several decades, and also what Mr. Sun Yat-sen hoped for and striven for. The effort to establish such a country begins only the day after Japan is driven back to the Yalu River. All the various tasks during the War of Resistance are related to establishing such a country. However, many important tasks, such as fundamental economic construction, can only be completed after victory in the resistance is won. During the resistance, the principal prerequisite conditions for establishing such a country are to be created, for the purpose of driving Japanese imperialism out. Such a task is not only that of the Communist Party; it should also be that of the Kuomintang, other revolutionary parties and factions, and the people of the entire nation. This is China's historical task.

Fifth Question: What do you think is the main task of Chinese students and youth in the War of Resistance at present? What is the main task of the world's students and youth in the movement to aid China?

Answer:

Answer: The tasks of China’s youth can be divided into general and specific ones. The general tasks, as previously discussed, are to persist in the War of Resistance, uphold the united front, sustain the protracted war, drive out Japanese imperialism, and establish a free and equal democratic republic. These are the common tasks of the Chinese people of all ages and professions, with no distinction. What sets them apart are their specific tasks. What are the specific tasks of China’s youth? They are to strive for their own particular interests—for example, improving education and learning, having the right to participate in the national salvation movement while studying, the right to organize student and youth groups and to form national salvation organizations, the right to vote and stand for election for those aged 18 and above, the right of impoverished students to free education, and the large-scale enlistment of youth to go to the front lines, among others. Regarding the main tasks of the world’s youth in aiding China’s War of Resistance, I believe the first is, through the World Student Association, to make the majority of the world’s youth and students understand the necessity of jointly opposing Japan and aiding China, and to make them realize that such work is tied to their own interests. Because peace is indivisible, and fascist global aggression is the enemy of world peace. Secondly, students serve as a bridge connecting the people. Through students, the peoples of all nations can come to understand the necessity of opposing Japan and assisting China, as well as how this work relates to their own interests. As for specific methods of assistance, they include, for example, conducting verbal and written propaganda, urging people and governments to provide us with material aid, refusing to buy goods from Japan or sell goods to Japan, and even organizing international anti-Japanese volunteer forces ready to come to China to join the war at the appropriate moment. You, representing the vast international student body, have come to China to observe, offering us great sympathy. All the Chinese people thank you. On behalf of the Chinese Communist Party and the people of China, I salute you. I hope that when you return, you will convey the true picture of China’s great War of Resistance to the students and peoples of the world. We will forever unite with you to fight for China’s freedom and equality, and for lasting peace and enduring happiness in the world.