Comparison of Forces Between the Enemy and Ourselves[1]

(January 10, 1936)

Yan Xishan[2] has four advantages: (1) superior troop strength; (2) strong combat capability of his own forces; (3) relatively strong defensive capability; (4) strong social forces, with militia and the baojia system. He has five weaknesses: (1) isolated strategic situation, with Chiang Kai-shek and Zhang Xueliang temporarily unable to provide assistance; (2) a strategically defensive position; (3) general discontent among the people; (4) poor operational command; (5) poor offensive spirit. Our strengths are: (1) we are on the offensive; (2) we are capable of fighting mobile warfare; (3) we have the conditions for reconnaissance; (4) we have coordination from the Shaanxi guerrilla forces and local cadres; (5) we have the people’s assistance; (6) the Red Army is capable of fighting.

[1] This is part of Mao Zedong’s remarks on the comparison of forces between the enemy and ourselves at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

[2] Yan Xishan, then serving as Vice Chairman of the Military Commission of the Nationalist Government and Director of the Taiyuan Pacification Office.