On the Situation After the Xi’an Incident and Our Policy[1]

(January 2, 1937)

Since the news spread that Zhang Xueliang has been detained in Nanjing, the left wing in Xi’an has become active, and at the same time the right wing has also become active. On the Nanjing side, the left wing is in the midst of struggle, and the pro-Japanese faction is also greatly maneuvering. Chiang Kai-shek’s attitude is still not very clear. The current situation is in chaos; the pro-Japanese faction and various right-wing elements have joined together, and their present goal is to bring down Xi’an, and they are advancing toward Xi’an. At present, our policy remains to strike at the right wing and win over the middle faction. The difference is that we must make military preparations and must more actively assist and unite with Xi’an. Now it is not merely a question of Xi’an, but a question of the whole country. The following two points remain unchanged: first, to cooperate with Xi’an; second, to strike at the pro-Japanese faction and win over the middle faction. As for whether Chiang Kai-shek can change his attitude, we still have to wait and see.

[1] This is part of Mao Zedong’s speech at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.