This paper focuses on the Military Bureau of Investigation and Statistics (Juntong) and its role in the anti-hanjian campaigns during and after the Second Sino-Japanese War. Borrowing the concept of "state of exception," this paper attempts to portray a political history of the unbalanced power dynamic between the legal system and times of national emergency. The study explores how Juntong's violent activities and ultimate power to punish collaborators, initially aimed at national salvation, ultimately contributed to the downfall of the Nationalist (GMD) regime. The paper begins by tracing the establishment of Juntong under Dai Li. Juntong's mission was to combat Japanese collaborators, known as hanjian, through surveillance, assassination, and enforcement of anti-hanjian laws. The paper examines the concept of "hanjian," a term that combines treason with a lack of political morality, and how the GMD used it to construct a nationalist ideology and consolidate power. The study highlights Juntong's operations during the war, which included harsh measures such as assassination and extortion. However, Juntong's problematic execution enlarged the scope of the definition of hanjian, leading to public unease among those who tried to survive under Japanese occupation. While these actions contributed to China's resistance efforts, they also undermined the rule of law and public trust in the GMD regime. Postwar hanjian trials, intended to reinforce GMD legitimacy through nationalist appeals, were marred by corruption and political manipulation. Juntong's involvement often led to unjust outcomes, with influential collaborators receiving lenient sentences or being acquitted. This collusion between Juntong and former hanjian eroded public confidence in the GMD's judicial system. Furthermore, Juntong's corruption during the process of liquidating hanjian's properties also contributed to the regime's loss of popular support. In conclusion, the GMD's failure to effectively manage the anti-hanjian campaigns and the resulting public dissatisfaction played a significant role in their downfall.
Yuexiang Hao (Sun,) studied this question.