Nationalist China starts the game already at war with Japan and with the country fragmented among different warlords. This guide focuses on what decides almost any China playthrough: unifying before Japan wears you down too much.
Starting Point
Nationalist power doesn't control the whole country at the start: there are regional warlords and a communist faction whose relationship can range from forced alliance to open civil war. Meanwhile, Japan is already pressing from the east with a far superior industry.
Recommended Route
- Unification focuses with the warlords as soon as possible, to add their manpower and industry to a central command.
- Manage the relationship with the Chinese communists according to your plan: cooperate against Japan, or confront them before they get too strong.
- Seek foreign support (Soviet or American, depending on which focuses you can access) to make up for your inferior starting industry compared to Japan's.
- Prioritize large, cheap infantry divisions — you won't be able to compete with Japan in technology, so compete in numbers and terrain instead.
Common Mistakes
The most common mistake is trying to hold a continuous front line from day one, as if China had the industry to sustain it. The second is ignoring internal unification and letting the warlords act on their own, which drains combined strength right when you need it most.
Next Steps
This guide will expand with a breakdown of the relationship with the Chinese communists and a step-by-step foreign support route. Also check out the Japan guide to understand the conflict from the other side of the front.