Speech at a Meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China[1]

(August 4–6, 1935)

1. The enemy attacking the Northwest region is mainly Chiang Kai-shek. Chiang Kai-shek has used all his strength against us and has suffered tremendous losses. On the whole, Chiang Kai-shek’s rule has not grown stronger but has been weakened. 2. The characteristics of the Northwest region are that it is the weakest link of the ruling class, the place where the forces of imperialism are weakest, the place where minority nationalities are most concentrated, and, being close to the Soviet Union, it can receive political and material assistance. The difficulties in the Northwest region are sparse population, lack of material conditions, inconvenient transportation, poor climatic conditions, and so on—all of these can be overcome. We must use all our strength to realize the strategic policy of establishing a base area in the Northwest, first of all in the Gansu region. With a general direction set, after the two front armies join forces, even greater victories will be won. 3. The first task of the Party Central Committee, which leads the nationwide revolution, in this region is to ensure that the First and Fourth Front Armies unite like brothers. The experience I gained in joining forces with Zhu De at Jinggangshan in the past can be applied today. The two front armies must understand each other and treat each other with sincerity. The Central Military Commission should shoulder the responsibility of bringing the two units into harmony.

[1] From August 4 to 6, 1935, a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held at Shawa. The meeting discussed the situation and tasks after the joining of the First and Fourth Front Armies of the Red Army, as well as organizational issues. Part 1 of this text is an excerpt from Mao Zedong’s speech on the situation and tasks; Part 2 is an excerpt from Mao Zedong’s speech on the supplementary members of the Central Committee and the Political Bureau.

The Fourth Front Army has many good cadres, and we have proposed only these few comrades, which is very prudent. Originally, the Political Bureau cannot decide on members of the Central Committee; this was done under special circumstances. Other units also have many good cadres, and they can be recruited to work in various military and political leading organs.