On the Issue of Countering "Mopping-Up" Operations and Other Matters

Directive to Li Jingquan and Others[1]

(July 3, 1939)

China’s War of Resistance has now entered its second stage. At present, the enemy’s "mopping-up" operations within its occupied areas are bound to intensify compared to before, and our task of countering "mopping-up" behind enemy lines will inevitably become more arduous and difficult. Therefore, it is imperative to strengthen Party leadership and political work in our army, consolidate the Party organization, consolidate the organization of the troops, enhance the combat effectiveness of the troops, and, taking advantage of the opportunity when the commissioner of eastern Suiyuan has already fled, vigorously carry out the work of establishing local anti-Japanese political power, and strive to win over the Self-Defense Forces to cooperate with our army in persisting in the anti-Japanese struggle.

[1] This is a directive by Mao Zedong, Wang Jiaxiang, and Teng Daiyuan on the issue of countering "mopping-up" operations and other matters, addressed to Li Jingquan, Yao Zhe, and others.