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Anti-fascist War in China: The Soviet Contributions 【Slide 1】 Honored Consul General Anatoly, consuls and guests Thank you for your kind invitation, I am very pleased to share with you some thoughts on the successful end of the anti-fascist war in China. 【Slide2】 The Second World War epitomized a global catastrophe in which lives were extinguished in the flames of conflicts. The Pacific theatre, a central component of this war, witnessed immeasurable sacrifice. Today, as we mark the anniversary of the end of the Pacific War, it is imperative that we honor not only those who gave their lives for the just, but also to honor the nations made extraordinary contributions during this turbulent time. 【Slide3】 Among them the Soviet Union's contribution is outstanding. It played a decisive role both in European theatre and in the theatre of the Far East, particularly in north-eastern China. Indeed, the Soviet contributions extend far into the founding of the Communist Party of China, the formation of the anti-Japanese National United Front and the founding of the People's Republic of China. 【Slide4】 My report today will consist of the following four parts: Part I Soviet contributions in the Northeast Theatre, Part II Soviet support for the Chinese Communist Party, Part III The transition to civil war and Soviet influence, Part IV Soviet contributions to China's post-war reconstruction and development. 【Slide 5】 Part I : Soviet contributions in the Northeast Theatre 【Slide 6】 Although the Soviet Union has positioned its contributions primarily focusing on the European theatre of war, its actions in the Far Eastern theatre, particularly their involvement in the north-eastern theatre of China, had a decisive impact on the course and outcome of the war. After the capitulation of Germany on May 9, 1945, the Soviet Union began sending large numbers of troops to Far East bordered to the north-east of China, the region that became an important stronghold of the Japanese Kwantung Army in the final phase of the war. 【Slide 7】 Within a very short time, the Soviet Union had transported 136,000 wagons of troops and war materials, totaling more than 1.7 million men to the far eastern regions. On August 8th 1945, the Soviet Union officially declared war on Japan, and the Red Army launched Operation ‘August Storm’ against the Japanese Kwantung Army. 【Slide 8】 According to US estimates, it would take at least another year and a half after the German surrender to defeat Japan completely. Japan had also assumed that, it would maintain its occupation as long as the Soviet Union did not intervene. The Soviet Union's entry into the war and its troops in the northeast undermined Japan's attempts. After 14 years of valiant but unsuccessful guerrilla warfare by the Chinese in the northeast against the Japanese, the Red Army led to Japan's surrender and eliminated its regional influence, and it also paved the way for the near-reunification of China four years later. 【Slide 9】 Part II : Soviet support for the Chinese Communist Party 【Slide 10】 A look back shows that the Soviet Union's tremendous influence on China's political landscape existed even before its military intervention. The Chinese Communist Party owes much of its ideological foundations to Marxist-Leninist thought, which was promoted and supported by the Soviet Union. In the early 1920s, China's enlightened intellectuals gradually turned away from Western democracy and towards the Soviet Union, an emerging socialist country. The Soviet Union played an active role in spreading Marxist ideas among the Chinese revolutionaries. 【Slide 11】 On the one hand, the Soviet Union facilitated the transfer of a considerable number of Marxist classics and revolutionary literature to China. These resources provided invaluable intellectual nourishment for the revolutionaries involved in the founding of the CPC. In addition, the Soviet Union played an active role in training revolutionary cadres for China and provided much-needed financial resources to the Chinese communists. Many Chinese revolutionaries were trained in the Soviet Union, where they gained a comprehensive understanding of Marxist theories and revolutionary tactics/instruments. 【Slide 12】 Not only the Chinese communists but also the Chinese nationalists received invaluable ideological, financial and military support, and they built a unified government to fight the warlords supported by the colonial and imperialist powers. 【Slide 13】 When the Japanese aggression in China escalated in the 1930s, the Soviet Union played a decisive role in making the Chinese Communist Party change its course and be willing to co-operate with the Nationalist government and resolve the Xi’an crisis peacefully. The so-called united front in China, supported by the Soviet Union, united factions within China under a common cause and fostered a sense of national unity and determination to defeat the Japanese invaders. Billions of Soviet funds flowed into China, hundreds of Soviet pilots sacrificed their lives for China's resistance against Japan, and Soviet security forces worked closely with their Chinese counterparts. 【Slide 14】 Part III : The transition to civil war and Soviet influence 【Slide 15】 In response to Japanese aggression, the Kuomintang and the Communist Party formed a united front, with each taking responsibility for participating in different military operations. In the war of resistance within China, Kuomintang assumed the role of main frontal battlefield. The Nationalist Government, under the leadership of Chiang Kai-shek, initially bore the brunt of Japan’s invasion and subsequently defended major territories and cities with its valiant troops. In the international theatre of war, the Chinese Expeditionary Force (CEF), which was also dominated by troops affiliated with the Kuomintang, fought bravely in Burma and provided assistance to the Allies in Southeast Asia. 【Slide 16】 The Communist Party, under the direction of Mao Zedong, focused its resources on establishing rural strongholds and engaging in guerrilla warfare against the Japanese occupiers. The CPC's strategy of the war, which emphasized mobilizing the masses and utilizing local knowledge, proved effective in disrupting the enemy's supply lines and weakening Japanese control over vast rural areas. 【Slide 17】 After Japan's surrender, the post-war landscape was characterized by tensions and competing visions for China's future. The collapse of the National Unity Government and the emergence of two distinct power blocs - the Kuomintang-led government and the Communist-controlled areas - eventually led to the outbreak of the Chinese Civil War. 【Slide 18】 The Red Army handed over enormous quantities of weapons, military and logistical materials and specialized military personnel to the Chinese Communists in the north-east, thus helping to build up the strongest part of the People's Liberation Army: Northeast or 4th Field Army with millions of well-equipped and well-trained soldiers. This army marched from Harbin to the South China Sea and liberated 60 per cent of Chinese territory. Furthermore, the Soviet Union helped the Chinese Communists produce massive weapons and logistical material in the Soviet-controlled area of Dalian. 【Slide 19】 Part IV : Soviet contributions to China's post-war reconstruction and development 【Slide 20】 The Soviet Union was the first to diplomatically recognize and establish diplomatic relations with Communist China in 1949. In the 1950s, the Soviet Union provided China with far-reaching and extensive construction aid, in particular 156 projects for China's first five-year plan. These projects were not only symbols of the friendly relations between China and the Soviet Union, but also important milestones in the process of China's industrialization. These projects covered a wide range of fields, including coal, electricity, iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, chemicals, engineering, aviation, military industry, etc. 【Slide 21】 The completion of mega projects such as Anshan Iron and Steel Company and Changchun No. 1 Automobile Manufacturing Plant enabled China to make breakthroughs in these fields from scratch and lay a solid foundation for further industrial development. 【Slide 22】 In terms of technology, the Soviet Union provided a considerable number of technical experts to guide and support the entire spectrum of the project. According to official statistics, the Soviet Union sent more than 3,000 technical experts to China during the First Five-Year Plan period. China also sent a large number of students and interns to study in the Soviet Union who become top technocrats and statemen throughout the 2nd half of 20th century. 【Slide 23】 It is particularly noteworthy that despite the down-period of relations between China and the Soviet Union in 1960s and 70s, the Soviet Union continued to adhere to the one-China principle. Moreover, as the largest remaining member and the most important heir of the Soviet Union after its dissolution, Russia has shown goodwill from the very beginning and established a strategic partnership with China. 【Slide 24】 Conclusion Looking back at history, we cannot help but feel deep admiration for the monumental contributions the Soviet Union made to China and the whole world during and after World War II. These contributions go beyond heroism on the battlefield and strategic victories; they embody the spirit of concerted efforts, unity and mutual assistance. By commemorating this history today, we pledge to uphold the hard-won victory, and deepen the friendly and co-operative relations between China and Russia for our mutual benefit. 【Slide 25 Thank you! I strictly adhere to my government's principle: the legitimate security concerns of all countries should be taken into account and all efforts to resolve crises peacefully should be supported. I am personally in favor of ensuring that the crisis does not spill over, that it does not escalate and that humanitarian aid is provided. I firmly believe that this crisis will eventually and hopefully soon be over, China and Russia have created a new paradigm for relations between major powers based on ‘non-alliance, non-confrontation and non-aggression against a third party’. They are committed to maintaining a lasting good neighborhood and deepening strategic cooperation in all areas. Such relations are of great value in maintaining global strategic stability, promoting benevolent interaction among major powers and fostering co-operation among emerging powers.