On the Relations Between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party and the United Front, etc.[1]

(August 10, 1936)

I

Chiang Kai-shek’s basic strategy of relying on Japan and engaging in betrayal and capitulation has not changed, but he is preparing to convene a national defense conference and carry out partial operations against Japan, etc., so his tactics have changed somewhat, and this tactical change may possibly affect and shake his strategy. Although the Liangguang Incident[2] suffered a setback, it deepened the rifts within Chiang Kai-shek’s ranks. In the past, Chiang Kai-shek gave up the three northeastern provinces, suppressed the masses, and refused to have dealings with us. Now he has changed, also speaking of a united front and a national defense government, and wants to have dealings with us; this is in order to gain the support of the masses and concessions from Japan, so as to consolidate his rule. We are willing to negotiate with Nanjing, and this remains our policy at present. Today, it should be acknowledged that Nanjing is a major force in the national movement. We can recognize unified command and unified organization, and we must make changes in many tactical respects, but it is imperative to stop the “suppression of the Communists” and imperative to carry out genuine resistance to Japan. The creation of a Northwest National Defense Government is currently under negotiation between the Red Army and the Northeast Army; both sides must make arduous efforts, political work must be strengthened in the Northeast Army, and consolidation work must be stepped up locally. The northward movement of the Second and Fourth Front Armies of the Red Army is of great significance for opening a connection to the Soviet Union, defending the Soviet areas, and unifying the leadership of the Red Army; we should do our utmost to welcome the Second and Fourth Front Armies and bring them completely under the leadership of the Central Committee.

[1] Part I is an excerpt from Mao Zedong’s report on the relations between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party and the united front, etc., delivered at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China; Part II is an excerpt from Mao Zedong’s concluding remarks at the same meeting.

II

The popular resistance to Japan has already broken through Chiang Kai-shek’s oppression, but it has not yet broken through the highest limit set by Chiang Kai-shek, that is, democracy has not yet been realized. Chiang Kai-shek always says unification first, whereas we demand that he first grant democracy for resistance to Japan. The slogan “To resist Japan, we must oppose Chiang Kai-shek” is no longer suitable at present; we should oppose the traitors under the banner of the united front. At the same time, we must pay attention to heightening vigilance against our allies and maintaining the independence of the Party.