Telegram to Pan Hannian and Ye Jianying[1]

(October 1936)

Zhang Zihua[2] has sent a telegram stating that Chen Lifu[3] went to Nanjing and can return in a few days, that he has met with Zeng Yangfu, and that Zeng has proposed that Enlai fly to Hong Kong or Guangzhou for talks. Our reply: first cease hostilities, then negotiate. We shall see what their answering telegram says before deciding further.

[1] This is the main content of Mao Zedong’s telegram to Pan Hannian and Ye Jianying.

[2] Zhang Zihua was then deputy director of the Liaison Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

[3] Chen Lifu was then head of the Organization Department of the Kuomintang Central Committee.