All Work Should Be Centered Around the Capture of Ningxia[1]

(September 19, 1936)

Today we discuss a military issue, namely the capture of Ningxia. The general plan has already been set. The capture of Ningxia is the pivotal link for opening the passage to the Soviet Union, developing the Red Army, unfolding the situation in the Northwest, and conducting operations against Japan. All our work should be centered around this link. Victory in capturing Ningxia is of decisive significance for unfolding the situation, and Shaanxi-Gansu can also be consolidated. Ningxia has relatively many fortresses; without mass work, relying solely on hard assaults will not work. Here, work among the White Army, work among the Gelaohui, and work among the Hui people are all part of the overall strategic plan. Intensifying the work in November and December is extremely important. It has been decided to establish a Ningxia Work Committee, with Li Weihan as director and Ye Jianying as deputy director, and to direct military affairs under the title of Chief of Staff Ye. As for Ma Hongkui, we must resolutely and swiftly annihilate him. Our overall strategy is to unite with all, but not with Ma Hongkui; it must be reckoned that Ma Hongkui absolutely cannot be united with. As for the local tyrants, for the time being, none shall be struck at. Later, when it does not impede military operations, in principle they shall not be struck at, but when the Red Army needs it or the masses need it, they may also be struck at, and it must be reckoned that there is no local tyrant who does not stand on Ma Hongkui's side.

[1] On September 19, 1936, the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held a meeting, focusing on the discussion of the issue of capturing Ningxia. Mao Zedong, Luo Fu (Zhang Wentian), Zhou Enlai, Bo Gu (Qin Bangxian), as well as Li Weihan, Lin Biao, Ye Jianying, Wang Guanlan, Song Renqiong, and others attended the meeting. Mao Zedong spoke at the meeting, particularly emphasizing the importance of capturing Ningxia. This is a portion of Mao Zedong's speech.