Speech at the First Evening Party for Technical Personnel Held in Yan’an
(February 25, 1939)
Today’s meeting is to clarify the political status and significance of technical personnel. We govern technology through politics, yet politics without technology is empty. It is incorrect both for some people to look down upon technical personnel and their work, and for certain technical workers themselves to undervalue their own tasks. Without technical personnel and technical work, we cannot defeat Japanese imperialism, nor can we build a new China.

[1] This is part of Mao Zedong’s speech delivered at the first evening party for technical personnel held in Yan’an.

Report on the Current Situation
(February 28, 1939)
[1]
(1) The question of peace and war. Our understanding of the protracted nature of the war includes the possibility of a no-war, no-peace situation. At present, the war aspect predominates, since Japan remains resolute in its aggression against China. The course of the war will be tortuous. Japan’s proposal to establish a “New Order in East Asia” is merely the fantasy of a major imperialist power. Recently, the Jiangsu–Zhejiang bourgeoisie has been advocating for peace, and within the Kuomintang there are also those who support the “New Order in East Asia.” There exists a dual character to the issue of peace and war, but war remains the dominant factor.
(2) Military matters. In implementing its policy of establishing a “New Order in East Asia,” Japan is pursuing a dual strategy toward China: political inducements aimed at capitulation on one hand, and military offensives on the other, using military action to achieve political ends. The regions of China that Japan has occupied are all strategic military points, intended to pressure China into surrender. Japan’s recent sweep through North China was designed to eliminate Communist forces and prepare for an offensive against Northwest China.
(3) Political issues—the United Front. Under wartime conditions, China must inevitably make progress; however, this progress is complex and uneven, exhibiting both progressive and regressive tendencies. Similarly, the Kuomintang’s inclinations toward compromise and friction are intricate rather than straightforward. The majority within the Kuomintang advocate for cooperation with the Communists while simultaneously guarding against them. We need to strengthen the left wing and win over the middle elements. To prevent the dangerous trends of compromise and friction from gaining momentum, our primary policy is to secure the support of the majority in the Kuomintang, to win over the Central Army, and to develop the Eighth Route Army and guerrilla forces—this is what falls within our sphere of responsibility.
[1] This is part of Mao Zedong’s report on the current situation, delivered at a meeting of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee.