At present, both foreign countries and China are striving for the same goal: to defeat fascism. The industrial development of our border region, like all other endeavors, serves solely to overthrow Japanese imperialism; there is no other purpose. Industrial activity in the border area only truly began five years ago, when there were scarcely seven hundred industrial workers. By 1942, that number had risen to four thousand, and this year it has reached twelve thousand. Thus, the progress of industry in the border region has been rapid. Although the scale remains small, the significance of this development is immense. Anyone who fails to recognize this most dynamic, vital force—capable of initiating all forms of change—possesses a mind steeped in confusion and ignorance.  The objective of the current congress is to achieve complete self-sufficiency in industrial goods within two years, starting with cloth and iron. Once we attain full self-sufficiency, the workforce will expand considerably. All engineers, factory directors, and workers must direct their efforts toward this goal—communists and non-Communists alike. Comrades Shen Hong and Chen Zhenxia, though not members of the Party, share the same spirit as its members. For China’s national independence to be firmly secured, industrialization is indispensable. We Communists must therefore devote ourselves to advancing China’s industrialization.  The primary reason for China’s backwardness lies in the absence of modern industry. Japanese imperialism dared to oppress China precisely because our country lacked a strong industrial base; it preyed upon our weakness. Consequently, eradicating this backwardness is a task that falls upon our entire nation. The people support the Communist Party because we embody the aspirations of the nation and the masses. However, if we fail to resolve our economic problems, if we cannot establish new industries or unleash productive forces, popular support may wane. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, the Communist Party confronted 58 percent of the enemy troops and over 90 percent of the puppet forces. In this regard, we have accumulated valuable experience and achieved concrete results. Yet we still lack a deep understanding of economic work, particularly industry—a field that is, in fact, decisive. It shapes every aspect of military affairs, politics, culture, ideology, morality, and religion, and determines the very course of social transformation. Therefore, all Communists should study economic work, and many among us ought to acquire expertise in industrial technology. Our border region serves as a great school, offering a course on industry. This Congress of Workers and Staff Members is, in essence, a short-term training program in industrial matters. If Party members show no concern for industry or the economy, possess no knowledge of other constructive pursuits, remain ignorant and incapable in these areas, and confine themselves to an abstract notion of “revolutionary work,” such revolutionaries are utterly worthless. We must reject this empty radicalism and instead diligently acquire the technical knowledge necessary to industrialize China.

(May 26, 1944, Liberation Daily)