The Jin-Cha-Ji Border Region was a stronghold of the War of Resistance in North China. There, the nationalist principle of steadfast resistance was put into practice; there, the democratic and liberal principles of people’s rights were implemented; and there, too, efforts to improve the people’s livelihood were beginning to take hold. In short, the Three Principles of the People—nationalism, democracy, and the people’s livelihood—were being practiced as an inseparable whole. The Three Principles cannot be merely proclaimed in empty slogans; nor can any single one of them be pursued in isolation. Empty rhetoric is of no practical benefit. Given that the enemy has already occupied more than half of China, how could anyone with even a shred of conscience continue to indulge in such empty talk? While military resistance alone may be regarded as an expression of nationalism, it would be impossible to defeat the Japanese aggressors without a firm resolve to implement both the principles of people’s rights and people’s livelihood in tandem with the war effort.  In his final testament, Dr. Sun Yat-sen wrote that, after forty years of experience, he had come to deeply understand that achieving freedom and equality required the implementation of two fundamental revolutionary principles: first, to arouse the people and unite with all nations that treated us as equals in a common struggle. With the national crisis now at such a grave stage, how can we possibly fail to heed Dr. Sun’s dying admonition? To “arouse the people” means to put into effect the principles of people’s rights and people’s livelihood; otherwise, there can be no genuine awakening. This is especially true of the principle of people’s rights, which is as urgently needed as rain in a severe drought and admits of no delay. The Program for the War of Resistance and Nation-Building, adopted by the Provisional National Congress of the Kuomintang, was proclaimed by Chairman Chiang Kai-shek and the National Government and enthusiastically endorsed by the people nationwide. Yet, regrettably, many officials have kept this program shrouded in secrecy—indeed, not only have they refused to speak of it but have actively obstructed its implementation. With regard to provisions in the program calling for the safeguarding of freedoms such as speech, publication, assembly, and association, those who seek to carry out these measures are not rewarded but rather punished. Such a situation is utterly bizarre and must be changed. The Jin-Cha-Ji Border Region’s resolute adherence to the spirit of the Three Principles of the People is both admirable and deserving of commendation.

In the past, figures like Wang Jingwei repeatedly claimed that the Eighth Route Army and the guerrilla forces were either “guerrilla-ing without fighting” or “neither guerrilla-ing nor fighting.” Some sycophants echoed these absurd charges. Yet Wang Jingwei himself “guerrilla-ed” right into Japan’s arms, while his followers busied themselves with endless rounds of mahjong, engaging in their own brand of “guerrilla warfare.” One wonders whether they have any sense of shame! By contrast, the Jin-Cha-Ji Border Region harbors no followers of Wang Jingwei nor any enthusiasts of mahjong. Instead, it has steadfastly upheld the Three Principles of the People, forging the stronghold of the North China resistance through arduous guerrilla warfare. It is no accident that Chairman Chiang Kai-shek has consistently emphasized the importance of the North China theater of the war. Comrade Nie Rongzhen’s present pamphlet provides well-documented accounts of how the region has, over the course of a year and a half, put the Three Principles into practice while sustaining its guerrilla campaign. This material not only effectively refutes the baseless claims of the traitors and their lackeys but also serves as a model for other areas on how to implement the Three Principles and how to mobilize the masses so as to closely coordinate with the war effort. Those who doubt this should consult this pamphlet. I am pleased to write the preface to its initial publication.

Mao Zedong March 11, 1929 (Republic of China Year 18)