On the Resolution of the Xi’an Incident

Speech at a Meeting of the Central Political Bureau

(December 19, 1936)

After the Xi’an Incident, all of Nanjing’s attention has been concentrated on the question of capturing Chiang, setting aside without inquiry all the anti-Japanese propositions of Zhang and Yang, and even mobilizing all troops to launch a punitive expedition against Zhang and Yang. This is the dark aspect brought about by the incident. This incident has promoted the differentiation between the anti-Japanese and the pro-Japanese, enabling the anti-Japanese front to expand further; this is the bright aspect brought about by the incident. At present, the bright aspect is being obscured by the dark aspect. We should firmly stand on the anti-Japanese position, give full play to the bright aspect, and strike at the dark aspect. The Xi’an Incident has two possible futures, victory or defeat. We should strive for and assist the Xi’an side, put the battle line in good order, strike at the punitive expedition faction, oppose civil war, demand peace, and seize victory. We should draw close to the Northeastern Army and the Northwestern Army; our attitude toward them should not only not be confused with that toward Nanjing, but also differ from that toward Yan Xishan; we are sympathetic toward Zhang and Yang. A circular telegram should be issued based on such a stand. The Xi’an Incident stands on the flank of the Red Army and has been greatly influenced by the Red Army. For it to achieve victory in the struggle, it undoubtedly requires the leadership of a proletarian political party and the assistance of the broad masses. At present, there are two camps: one side is Japanese imperialism and the pro-Japanese faction, the other side is the Communist Party and the anti-Japanese faction. In between, there is also a vacillating and neutral faction; we should win over these middle factions. We must win over Nanjing, and even more so win over Xi’an; only when the civil war ends can we resist Japan. There are six forces that may bring an end to the civil war: first, the Red Army; second, the Northeastern Army; third, the friendly forces in Xi’an; fourth, the people; fifth, the internal differentiation within Nanjing; and sixth, international assistance. We should unite these six forces opposing civil war, bring the civil war to an end, and transform the domestic war into a war of resistance against Japan.