Sino-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact
Nanjing hosted the signing of the Sino-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact on the 21st of August 1937. This document emerged between the Republic of China and the Soviet Union during the Second Sino-Japanese War. The agreement took effect immediately upon signature. It was registered in the League of Nations Treaty Series on the 8th of September 1937. Negotiations had been ongoing as Japanese forces advanced deeper into Chinese territory. Chiang Kai-shek sought to secure a powerful ally against the invading army. The Soviets agreed to sign despite their own strategic concerns about Japan. The pact promised mutual non-aggression while both nations faced external threats.
Operation Zet began shortly after the treaty came into force. Soviet aircraft flew to the Chinese national government under this program. Polikarpov I-16 fighters bore Chinese insignia as they entered service with the Republic of China Air Force. These planes became the main fighter used by Chinese air units. Economic aid accompanied the delivery of military hardware to help stave off the Japanese invasion. Chiang Kai-shek hoped this support would lead to full Soviet intervention in the war. Over time he realized the Soviet Union could not provide unlimited assistance. They feared upsetting tacit alliances with the United Kingdom, France, and later the United States. Western powers favored China but might back Japan if it weakened Britain or France.
The treaty allowed the Soviet Union to focus attention more on the West. Nazi Germany was building up for what appeared to be war with the Soviets. This shift occurred especially after the Soviet, Japanese Neutrality Pact had been signed. Relations between China and Germany worsened significantly during this period. German military assistance to China had already ended before these events unfolded. The agreement created a strategic opening for Moscow to prepare its western defenses. It also meant less direct pressure on the Soviet Far Eastern border. This geopolitical maneuvering shaped how both nations approached their respective conflicts. The pact served as a temporary shield while long-term threats loomed larger.
Ironically, in 1937, the Soviets brazenly breached the pact before and after signing. They conducted the Xinjiang War from August to October of that same year. The Soviet Army assisted puppet Governor Sheng Shicai in Xinjiang province. Kuomintang Muslim general Ma Hushan led the 36th Division to resist the invasion. Before the attack began, Ma Hushan communicated with Chiang Kai-shek about sending help. He mentioned this plan to Peter Fleming during their discussions. However, the outbreak of war against Japan left Ma facing the Soviet invasion alone. Despite killing many Soviet soldiers, his forces eventually succumbed to mustard gas bombardment. Ma fled to India where he took a steamer back to China. Sheng Shicai then invited Soviet forces to garrison in Turfan next to Gansu Province.
The Republic of China government was fully aware of the Soviet invasion of Xinjiang province. They knew about Soviet troops moving around Xinjiang and Gansu regions. Yet they were forced to mask these maneuvers to the public as Japanese propaganda. This strategy aimed to avoid an international incident while securing continued military supplies. The Chinese government responded with its own military moves to counter the threat. Muslim general Ma Buqing virtually controlled the Gansu corridor at this time. He had earlier fought against the Japanese but now faced a greater Soviet threat. Chiang made specific arrangements regarding Ma's position to address the danger. In July 1942, Chiang instructed Ma to move 30,000 troops to the Tsaidam marsh. This location sat within the Qaidam Basin of Qinghai province.
Chiang named Ma Reclamation Commissioner to threaten Sheng Shicai's southern flank in Xinjiang. After Ma evacuated his positions in Gansu, Kuomintang troops from central China flooded the area. These units infiltrated Soviet occupied Xinjiang and gradually reclaimed it. Their actions eventually forced Sheng Shicai to break with the Soviets. The Ili Rebellion broke out in Xinjiang when a Kuomintang Muslim officer died fighting Turkic Uyghur Rebels. Liu Bin-Di was killed during November 1944 while engaged in combat. The Soviets supported the Turkic rebels against the Kuomintang forces. Kuomintang troops fought back against these rebel groups. The government ordered Ma Bufang several times to march his troops into Xinjiang. That helped provide protection for Chinese settlers living in the region. Ma Bufang was sent with the Muslim Cavalry to Ürümqi by the Kuomintang in 1945. His force aimed to protect the city from the Uyghur army based in Hi.
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Common questions
When was the Sino-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact signed in Nanjing?
The Sino-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact was signed on the 21st of August 1937. This document emerged between the Republic of China and the Soviet Union during the Second Sino-Japanese War.
What military aid did the Soviet Union provide to the Republic of China under the pact?
Soviet aircraft flew to the Chinese national government under Operation Zet starting shortly after the treaty came into force. Polikarpov I-16 fighters bore Chinese insignia as they entered service with the Republic of China Air Force.
Why did the Soviet Union sign the Sino-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact despite strategic concerns about Japan?
The agreement allowed the Soviet Union to focus attention more on the West where Nazi Germany was building up for war. It also meant less direct pressure on the Soviet Far Eastern border while preparing western defenses.
How did the Soviets breach the Sino-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact in 1937?
The Soviets conducted the Xinjiang War from August to October of that same year by assisting puppet Governor Sheng Shicai. They used mustard gas bombardment against Kuomintang Muslim general Ma Hushan who led resistance forces.
When did Chiang Kai-shek order troops to move to the Tsaidam marsh in Qinghai province?
Chiang instructed Ma Buqing to move 30,000 troops to the Tsaidam marsh in July 1942. This location sat within the Qaidam Basin of Qinghai province to counter threats from Sheng Shicai.