The Main Issues in White Area Work[1]

(July 30, 1936)

White area work has achieved considerable results in terms of the influence of political tactics. Now it is necessary to strengthen organizational building so that it can shoulder political tasks. At present, white area work has very promising leads for organizational development. According to comrades from outside, in many places there are many who fell behind during the period of the Great Revolution, but who are now actively willing to work again. They committed no crimes in the past, and their errors were once declared; they can be fully utilized to carry out work. Around Xi’an and on both banks of the Wei River, there are Party organizations, which should be developed and expanded. Work in all areas requires Party organizations to have strength. At present, external intelligence consists only of military intelligence, with no social, cultural, political, economic, or other intelligence, because this has not been assigned to the Party to carry out. In diplomatic work, in principle, an independent system must be established, with responsibilities clearly delineated, limited to diplomacy in political and military matters.

[1] This is part of Mao Zedong’s speech on the issue of white area work at a meeting of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.