I mostly agree with the things written here, but the MG34 was not used in China. There is no proof of a Chinese soldier using the MG34. I have not seen one picture.
But, of couse the MG34 was used, it says in wikipedia. Well wikipedia is not the best source, plus who ever wrote that article did not state a source.
Surely some would have been imported in the German vehicles No, the MG13 replaced the MG34. source: chinesefirearms.com
But.. but.. Chinese factories were capable to reproduce the weapons No, they were basic factories. The MG34 was a complicated weapon, and even if the Chinese wanted the weapon, they could not produce them. Same source above.
From what I have studied on the subject the PRC seems to celebrate the communist battles against the Japanese while pretty much ignoring the contributions of the Nationalist forces as they are taboo in China. The Nationalists collaborated with the Japanese invaders at first. The old "the enemy of my enemy is my friend" situation until the communists captured their leader Chiang Kai-shek and gave him the option of either joining the communist forces fighting the Japanese or be executed. He of course took the prudent choice and joined the fight against the Japanese.
One interesting note on that theater is it was the only time where German armor faced Japanese armor on the battlefield as the Chinese used Panzer II's in the war given to them by the Germans during the Sino-German cooperation (1911–1941). Some units also fielded German helmets, German k98 Rifles, and some MG34s.
Not 1941, 1937. Japan requested the Germans to stop the aid at that time. I am not sure about the 1911 or after period.
Chiang was not threatened with execution, it was merely a threat of "I won't let you go until you establish a united front." It was a warlord that kidnapped him, not the communists. Later the warlord was arrested and place under house arrest. He was on Taiwan after 1949 and was still under house arrest. A few decades later he was released and left and moved to Hawaii I believe.
A M5 Stuart was mentioned, none were in China. Only M3A3 Stuarts. I am not sure about the M18, I know on Taiwan they were used.
So... who ever makes a Chinese front mod, they would be very popular with a lot of people... in China. China WWII is very popular over there as many want to destroy the Japanese, although virtually, for what they did 70 years ago.