China Machinery Industry During the Anti-Japanese War Period (1937-1945)

The great Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression is a moving chapter in the annals of the Chinese people's struggle for independence and freedom in modern times, and a fraught chapter in the history of the Chinese nation. 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. Looking back on that period, countless Chinese sons and daughters wrote a heroic epic that resonated with the mountains and rivers in pursuit of victory. During those arduous years, under extremely difficult conditions, China's machinery industry made significant contributions to victory in the war.

The modernization of China's machinery industry began after the Opium War. With the turbulent events of modern China, it achieved considerable accumulation and progress by the 1930s. During this period, several emerging industries took off, and a number of large-scale factories emerged in major cities like Shanghai, Wuhan, and Nanjing, including the Shanghai Dalong Machinery Factory and the Wuxi Kaiyuan Machinery Factory.

However, during this period, China's machinery industry also faced numerous challenges. Technologically, China's machinery industry is heavily dependent on foreign countries, with key technologies and equipment primarily imported from Europe, the United States, Japan, and other countries. Independent R&D capabilities are weak, and core technologies are lacking, resulting in a significant gap between product quality and performance and those of advanced international standards. Economically, machinery industry enterprises are generally small, capital-scarce, and have outdated production equipment, making large-scale technological transformation and new product development difficult. Most companies rely on manual labor and simple machining, resulting in low production efficiency and high costs. Furthermore, China's machinery industry is impacted by domestic political turmoil, frequent wars, and economic aggression from foreign powers, resulting in an unstable development environment and numerous difficulties.

Chapter 1: Amidst the War, China's Industrial Strategic Relocation

On July 7, 1937, Japanese imperialism launched the Marco Polo Bridge Incident, ushering in the full-scale War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression. The national situation was critical, and as the war progressed unfavorably, China's nascent machinery industry faced an unprecedented and devastating impact.

At the time, China's industrial structure was extremely illogical, with modern industries largely concentrated in the eastern coastal and riverside regions, particularly Shanghai. As the core of China's industry, Shanghai housed one-third of the country's factories. Any damage to the coastal regions would have dealt a devastating blow to China's industry.

To preserve China's industrial strength and support the war effort, a major industrial strategic shift—the relocation of factories inland—was urgently launched amid the war. This was a difficult and complex task, facing numerous difficulties and challenges, including limited transportation, a severe shortage of transport capacity, a significant funding gap, and the reluctance of some personnel to leave.

Despite these numerous obstacles, the relocation proceeded through the concerted efforts of all parties. By December 10, 1937, a total of 66 machinery factories had been relocated from Shanghai. Factories in other coastal areas also began to relocate inland. Relocated enterprises from Shanghai, Jiangsu, Shandong, and Shanxi first moved to Wuhan, and when Wuhan became overwhelmed, they moved to Sichuan, Hunan, Guangxi, Shaanxi, western Hubei, Guizhou, and Yunnan. By 1939, 339 privately-owned factories and mines had relocated inland, including 143 machinery factories, dismantling and transporting 58,900 tons of machinery and equipment. By December 1941, the number of relocated machinery factories had increased to 230, with 198 resuming operations, primarily in Sichuan, Chongqing, Hunan, Guangxi, and Shaanxi, with Chongqing being the largest region. This was a major migration in Chinese industrial history, and these machinery factories became the backbone of the rear-area industry.

By the end of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, over 500 privately-owned factories had relocated inland, and approximately 3,700 new factories had been built. Chongqing had only 39 factories of varying sizes before the war; by the end of 1944, it had 1,518. Meanwhile, Chongqing's machinery factories, which numbered just over ten before the war, had grown to 84 by 1939 and 130 by 1940.

This great migration severely damaged China's industrial vitality, primarily due to the hasty relocation and the repeated relocation of some factories, resulting in significant losses. However, this industrial relocation had far-reaching significance, preserving China's industrial lifeline and providing a solid material foundation for victory in the War of Resistance. Furthermore, the influx of numerous factories brought advanced production technology, management expertise, and substantial capital to the vast western regions, spurring the development of local industry and accelerating the region's modernization. New industrial bases were formed in Chongqing, Kunming, Guiyang, and other cities, driving local growth and development and reversing the severely unbalanced distribution of China's industrial landscape.

Chapter 2: Defending the Rear Areas: The Tortuous Development of the Machinery Industry

During the difficult years of the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, relocated industrial enterprises persevered despite adversity, providing support for victory. During this period, the Nationalist government also established a number of new machinery factories, most of which were located in Kunming and Chongqing. The rear areas then became a haven for the survival and development of China's machinery industry.

According to statistics, in 1937, there were 340 machinery factories in China, with a capital of only 3,688,000 yuan (in old Nationalist currency) and a workforce of only 10,205. Although the machinery industry accounted for 8.6% of all enterprises at the time, its total capitalization accounted for less than 1%. By the end of 1941, the number of machinery factories in the rear areas had surpassed the pre-war level, with over 100 factories capable of machinery manufacturing, including 45 factories producing lathes. Among these numerous factories, the most advanced were several government-run factories, such as the Central Machinery Factory, the Aircraft Factory, the Central Electrical Equipment Factory, and the Arsenal.

The Central Machinery Factory was a large state-owned enterprise established by the National Resources Commission of the Nationalist Government to foster the machinery industry. Its technology represented the highest level of China's machinery industry during the war. The large-scale equipment manufactured by the factory during the war primarily consisted of power generation equipment, including motors, boilers, and motors for thermal power plants, as well as turbines for hydropower plants. This can be considered the beginning of China's large-scale equipment manufacturing. The Central Machinery Factory was large in scale, and its products encompassed not only large-scale equipment but also general power machinery, machine tools, textile machinery, and even automobiles.

In 1943, the Central Machinery Factory reached its peak, with its total workforce growing from 975 in 1939 to 2,475. Its product range encompassed 54 varieties across six categories: power machinery, tool machinery, textile machinery, agricultural machinery, chemical equipment, and special machinery (military products). In terms of scale, technology, equipment, and management, the Central Machinery Factory represented the highest level of China's machinery industry at the time, comparable to ordinary machinery factories abroad. It achieved numerous "firsts" in the history of China's machinery industry: producing the first 2000kW generator, the first 500-horsepower engine, the first 30-40 ton boiler, the first to manufacture precision gauge blocks, the first to complete automobile assembly, and the first to achieve high-strength cast iron technology.

The Central Electrical Equipment Factory was also an electrical enterprise invested and built by the National Resources Commission. During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, facing wartime material shortages and disrupted transportation for external procurement, the factory's researchers independently developed and were able to produce a wide range of electrical equipment, breaking the deadlock of complete reliance on imports. By the time of victory in 1945, the Central Electrical Equipment Factory had grown from four branches to eight, some of which had branch factories.

In addition to meeting the production and living needs of the wartime rear areas, the electrical equipment produced by the factory was also directly used on the front lines in the fight against the Japanese. From 1939 to 1945, the Central Electrical Equipment Factory's First Plant produced 4,330 tons of various types of wire and cable, making a significant contribution to the War of Resistance. In 1942, the Central Electrical Equipment Factory developed a 1000-horsepower Francis turbine, which was converted from a frequency converter into a 1940 kV·A, 6900 V generator.

While China's machinery industry achieved some success during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, machinery enterprises located in the rear areas faced numerous difficulties and challenges, including funding shortages, difficulties in obtaining raw materials, and a shortage of technical personnel. These challenges severely hampered the industry's development.

During this period, China's machinery industry provided crucial material support for victory in the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, made indelible contributions to the country and the nation, and left a significant mark in the history of Chinese industrial development. The perseverance and self-improvement it demonstrated are a valuable asset for the development of China's machinery industry.

At this time, most machinery factories in the occupied areas were forced to produce military supplies for the Japanese army.

Chapter 3: Continuity and the Shining Light of Industrial Enterprises

The development of China's machinery industry during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression is a magnificent epic filled with hardship and struggle. From its difficult beginnings before the war, to its relocation to the interior after the outbreak of the war to preserve its legacy, to its tenacious development in the rear despite numerous difficulties, every step embodies the hard work and sweat of countless patriots of the time. While most of these enterprises have faded into obscurity with the passage of time, some have weathered storms and survived to this day, becoming the backbone of China's machinery industry.

The Central Machinery Factory, which played a vital role during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression, underwent two name changes before becoming the Kunming Machine Tool Factory in 1953. It was affiliated with the then First Ministry of Machine Building and became one of the "Eighteen Arhat Factories" directly under the Ministry, ushering in a new chapter in its history of specialized machine tool production. In 1954, the Kunming Machine Tool Factory manufactured the T68 horizontal milling and boring machine and represented China at the Leipzig International Fair. In 1958, the T4128 jig boring machine was manufactured, becoming China's first. Since then, Kunming Machine Tool Factory has continuously contributed to my country's industrial development and witnessed the remarkable journey of China's industry from its inception to its rapid growth. In 2022, the company was renamed General Technology Group Kunming Machine Tool Co., Ltd.

Xiangdian Group was formerly the Central Electrical Equipment Factory. On July 1, 1948, the Central Electrical Equipment Factory was reorganized into the Central Electrical Equipment Factory Co., Ltd., and the Xiangtan Electric Motor Factory of the Central Electrical Equipment Factory Co., Ltd. was established on the same day. In 1953, the factory was renamed the Xiangtan Electric Motor Factory of the First Ministry of Machine Building Industry. In 1956, it was listed as one of the 156 key national projects. After years of reconstruction and expansion, it became a base for the development of new products in my country's electrical industry. After years of development, it became a large-scale, comprehensive manufacturer of complete sets of motor and electrical equipment in my country. In 2007, the company was renamed Xiangdian Group Co., Ltd. Xiangdian Group has made significant contributions to the localization of complete sets of electrical equipment in my country. Its main products include large and medium-sized AC and DC motors, large-scale ship propulsion systems, urban rail transit vehicle traction control systems, complete sets of mining and transportation equipment, megawatt-class wind turbines, and new green and low-carbon complete sets of equipment. These products serve a wide range of sectors, including national defense, power, energy, mining, metallurgy, transportation, chemical industry, light industry, and water conservancy.

XCMG Group's predecessor, Huaxing Iron Works, was born amid the bombardment of the Anti-Japanese War in 1943. Initially serving as the Eighth Route Army's Lunan Eighth Arsenal, it undertook the crucial task of repairing firearms and producing weapons and ammunition, including mines and grenades. In 1953, Huaxing Iron Works relocated to Xuzhou and merged with the Xuzhou Industrial Company Iron Works and the Xuzhou Dali Iron Works, becoming the state-owned Xuzhou Iron Works. In June 1956, the Xuzhou Iron Works was renamed the Xuzhou Agricultural Machinery Factory, and in November 1958, it was renamed the Xuzhou Heavy Machinery Factory. In 1989, Xuzhou Engineering Machinery Group Corporation was formally established with its core comprising "three factories and one institute" (Xuzhou Heavy Machinery Plant, Xuzhou Engineering Machinery Manufacturing Plant, Xuzhou Loader Plant, and Xuzhou Engineering Machinery Research Institute). After years of development, XCMG has become a multi-billion-yuan enterprise with a large scale, a comprehensive product range, and strong competitiveness, influence, and national strategic status in my country's engineering machinery industry. It has consistently held the top position in China's engineering machinery industry and consistently ranked among the top globally for many years.

Additionally, there are the Chongqing Machine Tool Plant and the Baoji Petroleum Machinery Plant, both established in 1937, which contributed to the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and continue to this day. These machinery industry enterprises are both witnesses of history and pioneers of our times. They have accompanied China's machinery industry from its humble beginnings to its current strength, and the industrial spirit they embody will forever inspire its continued advancement.

Today, China's machinery industry is striding forward on the path of high-quality development. 80 years later, when we look back on that magnificent epic of blood and fire, we should not forget the tenacity and perseverance of Chinese roboticists in desperate situations during those turbulent years. It was their perseverance that left a spark of hope for China's machinery industry, a bold and colorful stroke on this weathered land.