HONOR OUR VICTORY IN THE WAR TO RESIST US AGGRESSION AND AID KOREA

HONOR OUR VICTORY IN THE WAR TO RESIST US AGGRESSION AND AID KOREA*

October 23, 2020

The Chinese nation is a peaceful nation and the Chinese people are a peace-loving people. They knew only too well the cruelty of war and the value of peace after suffering incessant foreign invasions and wars from the mid-19th century. They longed for peace and stability and were ready to reconstruct the country in the early days of the fledgling People’s Republic of China. Their wish, however, was abruptly thwarted by a new war imposed by the imperialist aggressors.

On June 25, 1950 a civil war broke out on the Korean Peninsula. In keeping with its global strategy and influenced by its Cold War mentality, the US government decided to intervene and deployed the Seventh Fleet in the Taiwan Straits. In early October 1950, despite repeated warnings from the Chinese government, the US army crossed the 38th Parallel and the flames of war reached the border of China and North Korea. US fighter planes repeatedly bombed China’s northeast border region, causing casualties and material damage and posing a serious threat to China’s security. 

At this critical moment, at the request of the Korean Workers’ Party and the government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), the central leadership took the courageous, visionary and historic decision to aid Korea against the US aggression and to defend the new-born PRC. On October 19, 1950, the Chinese People’s Volunteers entered the battlefield under the leadership of Commander and Commissar Peng Dehuai. This was a righteous move by an army dedicated to a just cause.

The War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea (1950-1953) was a modern conflict fought by two armed forces presenting an extreme disparity in every category of equipment, as the US enjoyed substantial superiority in national strength over China at the time. In spite of all the disadvantages and extreme difficulties, the Chinese People’s Volunteers fought side by side with the DPRK army and people in five battles, including the Battle of Onjong, Battle of Unsan, Battle of the Chongchon River, and Battle of the Changjin Reservoir, and then built an impregnable defensive zone together. They also launched powerful attacks on the enemy, outmaneuvered the enemy’s air interdiction operations, defended against their biological attacks, and went on to win the protracted Battle of Sanggamryong. The Volunteers won the highest acclaim from the Chinese people for their extraordinary feats. 

Through a series of arduous struggles, the Chinese and DPRK troops defeated their heavily-armed rival, dispelled the myth that the US army was invincible, and forced the arrogant aggressors to the negotiating table to sign the truce on July 27, 1953. 

Throughout the war, the CPC central leadership devised clear overall plans. They launched full-scale mobilization and their commands were sound. By coordinating war aid with national stability and reconstruction, the country carried out a massive campaign to aid Korea against US aggression. People of all ethnic groups joined an effort that was vital to the future of the country. Ultimately they won victory, showing the world that “the time when the Western aggressors could occupy a country by placing some cannons on its coast as in the past centuries was gone and would never return.”

China’s resounding victory in the war was a declaration that the Chinese people had stood upright and tall in the East. It was a significant milestone in China’s progress towards national rejuvenation, which had a great and far-reaching impact on China and the wider world.

Through this war, the Chinese people foiled the aggressors’ plan to destroy China in its infancy with the troops it had sent to the PRC border. As Mao Zedong said, “Throw one hard punch now to avoid taking a hundred punches in the future.” The newly-founded People’s Republic stood firm and the imperialists were deterred from any further invasion attempts. The war safeguarded our territorial integrity, secured peace for our homeland, and fully demonstrated the Chinese people’s iron will in confronting a hegemonic power.

Through this war, we the Chinese people ended our century-long history of humiliation following the Opium War of 1840. We would no longer allow ourselves to be trampled on or dependent upon others. We bid farewell to the image of “the sick man of East Asia”. We did ourselves proud and felt truly heartened. The victory fully displayed the Chinese people’s unyielding spirit and indomitable will as we united as one.

Through this war, we the Chinese people shook the world with our victory over the aggressors. The victory helped to establish the PRC’s position in Asia and in the international arena and highlight its status as a major country. It changed the world’s perception of China and demonstrated the Chinese people’s determination to safeguard world peace.

Through this war, our people’s army gained important military experience and emerged stronger and braver. The victory also enabled the army’s transition from single service combat forces to integrated combat forces and greatly accelerated the modernization of China’s national defense and military. It made very clear to the world the combat effectiveness of our armed forces and their heart and will to fight and win.

This war resulted in a profound change to the strategic landscape of post-World War II Asia and the wider world. The victory gave a tremendous boost to the struggle for national independence and liberation of oppressed nations and people around the world, and to human progress and world peace. It left the world in no doubt that no country or military, no matter how powerful it might be, can prevail if it stands against the trend of world development, abuses the weak, pursues a regressive agenda, or indulges in aggression and expansion. The victory proved once again that right will triumph over might, and that peace and development represent the irresistible tide of history.

In the great and momentous War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, the valiant Chinese People’s Volunteers forged a great spirit of patriotism, heroism, optimism, loyalty and internationalism.

Patriotism inspired them to uphold the interests of the country and the people above all else and put their lives on the line to defend the dignity of the country and the nation. 

Revolutionary heroism motivated them to fight tenaciously and fearlessly. 

Revolutionary optimism encouraged them to keep up their morale despite hardships and difficulties.

Loyalty to the revolutionary cause reinforced their devotion to missions entrusted by the nation and the people. 

The spirit of internationalism stimulated them to fight for peace and justice for humanity.

The great spirit of the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea extends through time and space and continues to flourish. We must carry it forward from generation to generation.

– Regardless of how times may change, we must forge the national character to defy oppression and fight hegemony. Seventy years ago, a war started by the imperialist aggressors reached China’s door. The Chinese people knew well that it was imperative to send the aggressors a message they would understand: War must be fought to deter aggression, force must be met with force, and a victory is the best way to win peace and respect.

We the Chinese people do not provoke others, nor do we shy away from trouble. We do not give in to fear or yield in the face of difficulties and dangers. The Chinese nation will never cower before threats, or be subdued by oppressors.

– Regardless of how times may change, we must pool the indomitable national strength that unites us all. In this war, driven by patriotism, the Chinese people fought shoulder to shoulder against the enemy, demonstrating our strength to the world. The war made it clear that “the Chinese people are now organized, they are not to be trifled with. Once provoked to anger, they will respond with a will.”

– Regardless of how times may change, we must forge a national spirit of devotion and the courage to risk our own lives for the interests of the country. On the cruel Korean battlefield, the Chinese People’s Volunteers shed blood and even laid down lives while confronting a strong and fierce rival. Poor in steel but with an iron will, they wrote an earth-shaking epic defeating an enemy rich in steel but weak in will.

They charged forward braving the storm of gunfire and shells, stood their ground under artillery barrages, hurled themselves against the machine-gun slits of dugouts, and used their bodies as ladders. After exhausting their supplies and ammunition, they advanced to their death against the enemy lines carrying explosive charges or Bangalore torpedoes. They persevered in spite of hunger or cold, withstood the test of fire and flame to conceal the position of their units, and remained undaunted under the assaults of the US air force. 

Yang Gensi, Huang Jiguang and Qiu Shaoyun are just a few of more than 300,000 heroes from 6,000 heroic units. They made a vow: Right behind our back is the motherland; we cannot afford to take one step back. This immense courage and the spirit of devotion struck fear into the enemy.

– Regardless of how times may change, we must forge ahead and continue innovating on the basis of what has worked in the past. Those who are innovative and creative can always make breakthroughs and achieve victory.

Facing an unfamiliar enemy on a new battlefield, the Chinese People’s Volunteers made the most of flexible strategies and tactics – “You fight your way and I will fight mine. You have atomic bombs to launch and I have grenades to fire.” No matter what pressure we come under, no matter what challenges and risks may lie ahead, we the Chinese people will always fight our way out and prevail, displaying our tremendous courage, wisdom and will.

Over the six decades since victory in the war, unprecedented changes have taken place in China under the robust CPC leadership. Chinese socialism has entered a new era and the Chinese nation has achieved a tremendous transformation from standing up and becoming better off to growing in strength.

Today, we are approaching a historic milestone in realizing the Two Centenary Goals, when victory in the first, building a moderately prosperous society in all respects, is in sight, and the prospects of the second, building a modern socialist country in all respects, are promising. The road ahead, however, will not be smooth. We must not forget the grueling route to victory in this war. We must maintain our mettle and courage and display wisdom in our endeavor. We must press ahead with tenacity in spite of all difficulties and advance the great historic cause of socialism with Chinese characteristics for a new era.

To honor the great victory and advance the great historic cause, we must do the following: 

– We must uphold the Party’s leadership and make it even stronger. Victory in this war proved once again that no other political force in China could match the CPC in pooling the strength of millions to fight for national rejuvenation and for the happiness of the people, and to  win one victory after another, no matter what sacrifice it might entail. So long as we bear in mind our Party’s original aspiration and founding mission, press ahead with the great new project of strengthening the Party in the spirit of self-reform, and strengthen the Party’s ability to provide political leadership and theoretical guidance and to organize and inspire the people, we will make it the strong and reliable spine of our nation.

– We must remain committed to a people-centered philosophy. We must do everything in the interests of the people and rely on them in everything we do. History is created by the people. The strength of our Party and our military comes from the people. We must uphold the Party’s fundamental goals of serving the people wholeheartedly, working for their benefit, and fulfilling our responsibilities to them.

We must always seek to meet the people’s desire for a better life, and forever maintain our close ties with them. So long as we stand firmly on the side of the people and uphold their principal position, we will spark their mighty and indomitable force and produce new and splendid chapters in the history of China’s national rejuvenation.

– We must promote economic and social development and continue to build up our overall national strength. Backwardness left us vulnerable to attack; only development can make us strong.

Over the past seven decades since the founding of the PRC, we have achieved progress that took the developed countries several centuries. Our economic growth has staggered the world. We are now entering a new development stage that brings us new opportunities and challenges. We will achieve higher-quality development that is more efficient, equitable, sustainable and secure, and create new miracles, so long as we ensure a holistic approach to the Five-sphere Integrated Plan and coordinated implementation of the Four-pronged Comprehensive Strategy, embrace the new development philosophy, and create a new development dynamic.

– We must up the pace in modernizing our national defense and armed forces, and build the people’s army into a world-class force. Without a strong military, a country cannot be strong. To uphold and develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, we must coordinate our efforts in both development and security, and in building a prosperous country and a strong military.

We must implement the Party’s philosophy on strengthening the military and our military strategy for the new era, and uphold absolute Party leadership over the people’s armed forces. We must strengthen the commitment of the armed forces to the Party, build their capacity through reform, science and technology, and training of competent personnel, and run the military in accordance with the law. We must improve the strategic ability of the armed forces to safeguard national sovereignty, security, and development interests, and help them better fulfill their missions in the new era. So long as we step up efforts to develop national defense and the armed forces in keeping with the times and march towards the Party’s goal of building a strong military, we will ensure greater strategic support for national rejuvenation.

– We must safeguard world peace and justice and work to build a global community of shared future. The Chinese nation always values amity and friendship with neighbors. As a responsible major country, China upholds humanity’s common values of peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom. We follow the principle of achieving shared growth through consultation and collaboration in global governance, and commit ourselves to peaceful, open, collaborative and common development. As long as we keep to the path of peaceful development and endeavor to build a global community of shared future with the peoples of other countries, there will be a bright future for peace and development.

Our world belongs to the peoples of all countries. Difficulties and challenges confronting the world can only be addressed and overcome when all countries pull together. Peace, development, and win-win cooperation are the right way forward. In today’s world, no unilateralism, protectionism, or extreme self-interest will ever succeed. No blackmailing, blockading, or applying maximum pressure on others will ever work. Attempts to throw one’s weight around and self-centered, hegemonic and abusive actions against others are doomed to fail. They will lead nowhere.

China upholds a national defense policy that is defensive in nature, and the Chinese military has always been a staunch force for maintaining world peace. China will never seek hegemony or engage in expansion, and it will resolutely oppose hegemonism and power politics. China will never tolerate any threat to its sovereignty, security, and development interests, or allow any force to violate or divide its sacred territory. The Chinese people will deliver an uncompromising response to any such attacks.

∗ Part of the speech at a meeting to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Chinese People’s Volunteers’ entry into the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea.

(Not to be republished for any commercial or other purposes.)