Did the Communist Party of China steal the achievements of the Kuomintang government's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression?

The question of whether the Communist Party of China (CPC) "stole" the achievements of the Kuomintang (KMT) government during the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945) is a topic of historical debate and interpretation. During the war, both the CPC and the KMT were involved in resisting Japanese invasion, although their strategies, territories, and leadership styles differed significantly. The KMT, under Chiang Kai-shek, was recognized internationally as the legitimate government of China during the war. However, the CPC's guerrilla warfare tactics and mobilization of rural support were also crucial in resisting Japanese forces, particularly in northern and central China. After the war, the narrative surrounding the achievements of the resistance became a point of contention between the two parties. The CPC emphasized its own role and sacrifices during the war to gain legitimacy and support, presenting itself as a key player in the resistance against Japan. In contrast, the KMT sought to maintain its status and portray the CPC's contributions as secondary. In the context of historical memory, the CPC did promote its narrative of the war post-1949, after the establishment of the People's Republic of China. This has led to claims that the CPC downplayed the role of the KMT and, in some cases, appropriated its achievements for its own political purposes. In summary, while it can be argued that the CPC highlighted its contributions to the War of Resistance to assert its legitimacy and political narrative, whether this constitutes "theft" of achievements depends on one's perspective and the interpretation of historical events. The legacy of the war remains complex and is viewed differently by various historians and stakeholders.