Section IV
The Ten Major Tasks of the Communist Party

(February 1940)

We must resolutely oppose the die-hards. We must firmly unite with the progressive forces. We must use such policies to achieve the overall objective of turning the situation around and defeating the Japanese aggressors. To this end, we have much work to do. Not long ago, the Central Committee of the Communist Party held a meeting and decided on ten major tasks for turning the situation around. What are these ten tasks? I now read to you, comrades, the resolution of the Central Committee of the Communist Party.

To strive for a turn in the situation and overcome the danger of a reverse current, it is essential to emphasize resistance, unity, and progress—none of the three can be dispensed with—and, on this basis, resolutely carry out the following ten major tasks.

First, we must broadly expand propaganda against Wang Jingwei and against traitors, resolutely expose all schemes of capitulation and division, and strike at the capitulationists and anti-communists ideologically and politically. We must firmly explain and concretely demonstrate that anti-communism is a counter-revolutionary step taken by the capitulationists in preparation for surrender.

Second, we must vigorously develop the united front across the nation in all fields—party, government, military, civilian, and academic—organize progressive forces, and cooperate closely with the majority of the Kuomintang to counter the capitulationists and anti-communists.

Third, we must extensively launch a constitutional movement and strive for democratic politics. Without democratic politics, victory in the War of Resistance is merely an illusion.

Fourth, we must resist all attacks by capitulationist and anti-communist forces. Any attack by capitulationists, anti-communists, or die-hards must be resolutely resisted under the principle of self-defense, on the basis of "we will not attack unless attacked; if attacked, we will certainly counterattack." Otherwise, if they are allowed to run rampant, the united front will be shattered, and the War of Resistance will fail.

Fifth, we must greatly develop the anti-Japanese mass movement, unite all anti-Japanese intellectuals, and integrate intellectuals with the anti-Japanese mass movement and anti-Japanese guerrilla warfare. Otherwise, there will be no strength to strike at the capitulationists, anti-communists, and die-hards.

Sixth, we must earnestly implement the reduction of rent, interest, and taxes, improve the livelihood of workers, and provide economic assistance to the masses. Only in this way can we arouse the masses' enthusiasm for resisting Japan; otherwise, it is impossible.

Seventh, we must consolidate and expand all anti-Japanese base areas. In these base areas, we must establish anti-Japanese democratic political power that is fully elected by the people and free of any capitulationist or anti-communist elements. Such political power is not a dictatorship of the workers and petty bourgeoisie but a government of all those who support resistance against Japan and democracy. It is a political power of the anti-Japanese national united front, a democratic dictatorship jointly exercised by several revolutionary classes. All schemes to undermine the anti-Japanese base areas must be resolutely combated, and all traitors and anti-communist elements secretly hidden in anti-Japanese political organs and organizations must be purged.

Eighth, we must consolidate and expand the progressive armed forces. Without such forces, China will perish.

Ninth, we must extensively promote the anti-Japanese cultural movement and raise the cultural and theoretical level of the anti-Japanese people, the anti-Japanese army, and anti-Japanese cadres. Without the struggle on the anti-Japanese cultural front in coordination with the overall anti-Japanese struggle, victory in the War of Resistance cannot be achieved.

Tenth, we must consolidate the organization of the Communist Party and expand party organizations in areas where there is no party or where the party is weak. Without a strong Communist Party, no important issue concerning the salvation of the nation through resistance against Japan can be resolved.

If these ten major tasks can be properly addressed and concretely and correctly implemented, we will certainly be able to strengthen the anti-Japanese progressive forces, overcome the capitulationist and retrogressive forces, strive for a turn in the situation, and avert a reversal of the situation. We will smash the schemes of the big bourgeoisie to undermine the War of Resistance and the united front.

Comrades, these are the ten major tasks recently decided upon by the Central Committee of the Communist Party. Do you think these ten tasks are good? They are ten tasks that suit the remedy to the illness. They are ten tasks that can bring the dying back to life. However, their implementation cannot be carried out by the Communist Party alone; the entire nation must also take part. Of course, Japanese imperialism does not like these ten tasks, nor does Wang Jingwei; the anti-communists and die-hards do not like them either. It is only natural that they do not like them, and we have no need to make them like them. If they do not like them, so be it. Today, at this great assembly, we must raise our voices to the people of the whole nation and to all parties and groups. We must save our motherland in peril, we must create a new China, we must drive out Japanese imperialism, we must overthrow Wang Jingwei, we must overthrow those anti-communist "heroes," and we must loudly shout the following slogans:

Support the policy of resisting Japan to the end! Oppose Wang Jingwei’s traitorous agreements!

People of the whole nation, unite! Support Chairman Chiang! Down with the traitor Wang Jingwei!

Support the National Government! Down with Wang Jingwei’s puppet central government!

Support Kuomintang-Communist cooperation! Down with Wang Jingwei’s anti-communist government!

Anti-communism is Wang Jingwei’s scheme to split the united front! Down with all anti-communist traitors!

Strengthen national unity! Eliminate internal friction!

Reform internal affairs! Launch the constitutional movement! Establish democratic politics!

Lift the ban on political parties! Allow the legal existence of anti-Japanese parties and groups!

The people shall have freedom of speech, publication, assembly, and association for resisting Japan and saving the nation!

Develop the mass movement! Implement the reduction of rent, interest, and taxes! Improve the livelihood of workers!

Consolidate the anti-Japanese base areas! Oppose the conspiratorial sabotage by traitors, anti-communists, and die-hards!

Support the armed forces that have rendered meritorious service in resisting Japan! Fully supply the front lines!

Develop anti-Japanese culture! Protect progressive youth! Ban traitorous propaganda!

Long live the liberation of the Chinese nation!