Xinjiang Factor In Chinese Revolution (1931-1943)

Xinjiang is located in China’s northwest region, is an important channel for China’s foreign exchanges. In history, due to the important geographical location and its national and historical complexity, many international and domestic forces wanted to control Xinjiang. From 1931 to 1943, Xinjiang’s adjacent location to the Soviet Union made it play an unique role in Chinese revolution.The Soviet Union, the Communist International, the national government, the Communist Party of China all had their own interests and aspirations in Xinjiang, and their relationships with Xinjiang had experienced ups and downs.The relationship between Xinjiang and the Soviet Union and the Communist International experienced a process from close cooperation to separation. At the very beginning, the Soviet Union planned to exclude other countries from Xinjiang, so it drew Sheng Shicai,who had a tendency to get close to the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union and the Communist International made their efforts to offer some help to Sheng with the construction of Xinjiang, and then they began to form a close cooperation, which made the Soviet Union successfully took Xinjiang into its sphere of influence. Due to the gradual accumulation of conflict, Sheng Shicai’s position had changed from "Pro Soviet" to "anti Soviet", and decided to remove the Soviet forces out of Xinjiang completely, which resulted in the bankruptcy of the Soviet Union’s Xinjiang policy.The relationship between Xinjiang and the national government was from "centrifugal" to the "centripetal". Early due to Xinjiang’s three main politicians fought for independence from government, the contact between the national government and Xinjiang was fragile. In the medium-term, due to the outbreak of Chinese Anti-Japanese war, the Soviet Union and China began to cooperate, the national government and Xinjiang were also in good cooperation. Later, when Sheng Shicai was determined to get rid of the control of the Soviet Union, the national government seized the favorable opportunity, and made Xinjiang sovereignty successfully recovered.The relationship between the Communist Party of China and Xinjiang was an establish-develop-rupture process. Early due to the help of the Communist International, the CPC and Sheng established relationship of the United Front in Xinjiang. Subsequently, the two sides developed good cooperation. Sheng Shicai agreed to set up the Xingjiang office of Eighth Route Army, and gave the CPC with great convenience in the transit of goods, reception of staff, military training. Communists also helped Sheng with the construction of Xinjiang, and made an achievement. Later, because Sheng Shicai turned to the anti-Soviet side, his attitude to the CPC also deteriorated. He arrested and killed Communists.Therefore, the united front with the CPC ruptured.In this historical stage, Xinjiang had complex effects on the Soviet Union and the Communist International, the national government, the CPC. Xinjiang played an irreplaceable important role. For the Soviet Union, it provided a buffer zone for the border. For the national government and the CPC, it provided important communications and supply lines, and facilitated the contact between the CPC and the Soviet Union, the Communist International. Furthermore, the above several parties had complex conflicting interests in Xinjiang, their interests had consistency and conflict, which earned Xinjiang an unique position in central and local government relation, in the competition between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party of China, in China-Soviet relation,and in rear area during the Anti Japanese War.From 1931 to 1943, Xinjiang factor in Chinese revolution produced unique and important influences.We can learn experiences and lessons from that period. Our country’s present Xinjiang policy should also pay attention to the traffic advantages of Xinjiang, and make full use of Xinjiang’s important channel in the Silk Road Economic Belt. Besides, we must firmly grasp the sovereignty of Xinjiang, be vigilant against "Three Forces", prevent their division and permeability, and maintain long-term peace and stability in Xinjiang.