Report on the Peaceful Resolution of the Xi’an Incident[1]

(December 27, 1936)

Now, out of sheer necessity, Chiang Kai-shek has acknowledged the conditions for stopping the civil war and uniting to resist Japan, but he has not signed them. On this matter, it would of course be good if Chiang Kai-shek signs, but even if he signs, this man may still renege and refuse to carry them out; even without signing, under the pressure of circumstances, he may still carry them out. Will he carry them out or not? This will require further efforts by the people of the whole nation to compel Chiang Kai-shek to carry them out. Many things in this world cannot all proceed smoothly; a certain amount of pressure is always needed to achieve success.

[1] This is part of a report delivered by Mao Zedong at the Red Army University on the peaceful resolution of the Xi’an Incident.