Soviet–Japanese relations and the strategic interests of the Guomindang and the CCP – Chiang Kai‐shek's planning of sanctions against the CCP in 1943

Abstract

When in 1943 the Guomindang launched its third wave of anti‐communist campaigns, Mao Zedong considered that Chiang Kai‐shek had acted in the belief that Japan would soon invade the Soviet Union. Hitherto, Chinese historians have either ignored Mao's judgment or failed to provide convincing explanations for it. There are two reasons for this attitude: first, historians have failed to appreciate the strategic implications of the relationship between the Soviet Union and Japan for relations between the Guomindang and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP); and second, relevant evidence regarding the events has not been available in document on Chiang. This essay answers questions raised by both points. Most commentators have claimed that this third anti‐Communist push ended by the middle or late July of 1943. However, Chiang in fact continued to make plans to mop up Shaanbei (the Communist‐controlled northern Shaanxi area) and impose sanctions on the Communists. The formulation, revision and eventual abandonment of Chiang's plans are also addressed in this essay.

Keywords:

• Chiang Kai‐shek
• Soviet–Japanese relations
• Guomindang–CCP relations
• Anti‐Japanese War

Notes

1. Zhang Yufa, Zhongguo xiandaishi [Modern Chinese History] (Taipei: Donghua shuju Co. Ltd., 1983); Li Yunhan,Zhongguo Guomindang shishu [A Historical Account of the Guomindang] (Taipei: Central Party History Institute of the Guomindang, 1994). In both books, the political crisis between the Guomindang and the CCP in 1943 is acknowledged only in occasional remarks.

2. For example, Hu Hua, Zhongguo xin minzhu zhuyi gemingshi [The History of the New Democratic Revolution in China] (Beijing: Renmin jiaoyu chubanshe, 1955), 242–4 is almost identical to the analysis in a work published by the Zhonggong zhongyang dangshi yanjiushi[Party History Research Centre, CCCPC], Zhongguo gongchandang lishi [History of the Chinese Communist Party] (Beijing: Zhonggong dangshi chubanshe, 2002), 803–5.

3. “CCP documents mention the third wave of anti‐communist campaigns in 1943. It referred to an open political offensive only”. John K.Fairbank, ed., Jianqiao Zhonghuaminguo shi [The Cambridge History of the Republic of China], vol. 2, trans. Zhang Jian'gang (Shanghai: Shanghai renmin chubanshe, 1992), 727.

4. Zhonggong zhongyang wenxian yanjiushi [Party Literature Research Centre, CCCPC], Mao Zedong nianpu [Chronology of Mao Zedong], vol.2 (Beijing: Renmin chubanshe, Zhongyang wenxian chubanshe, 1993), 457.

5. Zhonggong zhongyang wenxian yanjiushi, Mao Zedong nianpu, vol. 2, 375.

6. Qin Xiaoyi, ed. Zongtong Jianggong dashi changbian chugao [First Draft of the Chronology of President Chiang], vol. 5, part I (Taipei: Caituan faren zhongzheng wenjiao jijinhui, 2002), 69.

7. Zhonggong zhongyang wenxian yanjiushi, Mao Zedong nianpu, vol. 2, 390.

8. Ibid., 429.

9. Qin Xiaoyi, ed., Zongtong Jianggong dashi changbian chugao, vol. 5, part I, 299, 300.

10. Xu Yongchang, Xu Yongchang riji [Diary of Xu Yongchang], 20 April 1943 (Taipei: The Institute of Modern History, Academia Sinica, 1991).

11. Qin Xiaoyi, ed., Zhonghua minguo zhongyao shiliao chubian – duiri kangzhan shiqi [Original Collections of Important Historical Materials on the Republic of China: the Period of the Anti‐Japanese War], vol. 3, part I (Taipei: the Society of the Guomindang Party History, 1985), 834.

12. “Dongtiao shouxiang xunci neirong” [Speech of Prime Minister Tojo], Shenbao [Shanghai Daily] (7 May 1943): 2.

13. Xu Yongchang, Xu Yongchang riji, 8 May 1943. Zengjiayan was one of Chiang Kai‐shek's official residences. Yi Meng, also known as Yih Ju League, was located north of the Shaanganning bianqu (border area). The Guomindang believed that a mutiny that had taken place in the area had been incited by the CCP.

14. Ibid., 12 May 1943.

15. Qin Xiaoyi, ed., Zhonghua minguo zhongyao shiliao chubian, vol. 3, part I, 840.

16. Zhonggong zhongyang wenxian yanjiushi, Mao Zedong nianpu, vol. 2, 459.

17. Zhonggong zhongyang dangshi yanjiushi [Party History Research Centre, CCCPC], Zhongguo gongchandang lishi [The History of the Chinese Communist Party] (Beijing: Zhonggong dangshi chubanshe, 2002), vol. 1, part II, 803–5.

18. Hu Qiaomu, Hu Qiaomu huiyi Mao Zedong [Hu Qiaomu's Reminiscences of Mao Zedong] (Beijing: Renmin chubanshe, 1994), 154–74.

19. Wang Shijie, Wang Shijie riji [Diary of Wang Shijie], 24 May 1943 (Taipei: the Modern History Institute, Academia Sinica, 1990).

20. Xiong Xianghui, Wo de qingbao yu waijiao shengya [My Career in the Intelligence and Diplomatic Services] (Beijing: Zhonggong dangshi chubanshe, 1999), 13. Xiong was a confidential secretary to Hu Zongnan at the time.

21. Gong'anbu danganguan [Archives of the Ministry of Public Security], ed. Zai Jiang Jieshi shenbian ba nian: Shicongshi gaoji muliao Tang Zong riji [Eight Years' Service for Chiang Kai‐shek: The Diary of Tang Zong, Senior Aide in the Aides' Office], 29 June 1943 (Beijing: Qunzhong chubanshe, 1991), 366.

22. Xu Yongchang, Xu Yongchang riji, 13 and 28 August 1943.

23. Hu Qiaomu, Hu Qiaomu huiyi Mao Zedong, 173, 174.

24. Zhonggong zhongyang wenxian yanjiushi, Mao Zedong nianpu, vol. 2, 451.

25. Xu Yongchang, Xu Yongchang riji, 12 July 1943.

26. Ibid., 18 July 1943.

27. Hu Qiaomu, Hu Qiaomu huiyi Mao Zedong, 174.

28. Qin Xiaoyi, ed., Zongtong Jianggong dashi changbian chugao, vol. 5, part I, 349.

29. Qin Xiaoyi, ed., Zongtong Jianggong dashi changbian chugao, vol. 5, part I, 354.

30. Ibid.

31. Xu Yongchang, Xu Yongchang riji, 14 August 1943.

32. Qin Xiaoyi, ed., Zongtong Jianggong dashi changbian chugao, vol. 5, part I, 355.

33. Gong'anbu danganguan [Archives of the Ministry of Public Security], ed. Zai Jiang Jieshi Shenbian ba nian: Shi congshi gaoji muliao Tang Zong riji [Eight Years' Service for chiang kaishek: The Diary of Tang Zong, Senior Aide in the Aides' Office], 17 August 1943 (Beijing: Qunzhong chubanshe, 1991), 374.

34. Qin Xiaoyi, ed., Zongtong Jianggong dashi changbian chugao, vol. 5, part I, 361–4.

35. Ibid., 366–7.

36. Xu Yongchang, Xu Yongchang riji, 1 September 1943.

37. Qin Xiaoyi, ed., Zongtong Jianggong dashi changbian chugao, vol. 5, part I, 369.

38. Wang Shijie, Wang Shijie riji, 9 September 1943.

39. Zhonggong zhongyang wenxian yanjiushi, Mao Zedong nianpu, vol. 2, 261, 262.

40. Wang Shijie, Wang Shijie riji, 9 September 1943. Liangchou was Wang Chonghui; Liu Fei was also known as Weizhang, Kong Xiangxi as Yongzhi, and Chen Cheng as Cixiu.

41. Xu Yongchang, Xu Yongchang riji, 9 September 1943, with reference to Wang Shijie, Wang Shijie riji.

42. Ibid., 11 September 1943.