To the Members Li, Chen, Jiang, and Others of the People’s Government of 1933–1934:  In view of the present critical situation, Fuzhou is now in grave danger, and the People’s Government itself is already imperiled. Guided by the spirit of the anti-Japanese, anti-Chiang united front established under our previous agreements, the Central Soviet Government hereby makes the following urgent proposals to your government:

1. The People’s Government should immediately implement the democratic rights of the people as promised in its declarations and in the existing agreements.

2. The People’s Government should at once arm the masses in Fuzhou and its vicinity, as well as in Quanzhou and Zhangzhou, and should support and encourage the broad popular participation in the anti-Japanese, anti-Chiang front to defend Fuzhou and the regions of Quanzhou and Zhangzhou.

3. Support the masses in promptly organizing struggle groups against Japan and Chiang Kai-shek; no pretext of military urgency should be used to impede or prohibit the development of such organizations.

4. Actively assist the armed popular organizations operating behind enemy lines (such as along the coasts of Fujian and Zhejiang) and their anti-Japanese, anti-Chiang activities.

5. Resolutely purge your own ranks of elements who are preparing to surrender to Chiang Kai-shek or to seek protection from the imperialist powers.

6. Propagate throughout all officers and soldiers of the Nineteenth Route Army that the only way to carry out the anti-Japanese, anti-Chiang struggle to the end is through complete cooperation with the Soviet government and the Red Army, and that every effective measure must be taken to ensure unified military action.

It is evident that Chiang Kai-shek and Japanese imperialism are acting in concert, with the common aim of annihilating the Nineteenth Route Army. If your government truly intends to uphold its anti-Japanese, anti-Chiang stance, then the foregoing proposals constitute the sole means of rescuing both the present People’s Government and the Nineteenth Route Army from imminent peril. They also represent the final test of your government’s resolve to fulfill the commitments it has made in its own declarations and agreements.

Let it be understood that if a genuine popular, armed front against Japan and Chiang can be established, even should Fuzhou fall, Chiang Kai-shek and the Japanese imperialists will never be able to achieve lasting stability. Moreover, such a united front will undoubtedly expand nationwide. Should your government agree to arm the people and support the self-defense efforts of the Fujianese, beginning with the people of Fuzhou, the situation will take a new turn, and Fuzhou may yet be saved.

The moment is critical. We earnestly request your prompt consideration and reply.

Mao Zedong, Zhu De January 13, 1934