Remarks at the Central Political Bureau Meeting Following the Peaceful Resolution of the Xi’an Incident
(February 11, 1937)
Regarding the Xi’an Incident, our previous assessment of its possible outcomes in two directions was correct. Our evaluation of the Nationalist Party was also accurate. We began this assessment last September. The fact that we were able to adopt a policy of peaceful resolution after the Xi’an Incident stemmed from the correctness of our overall guiding principle. Previously, the bulk of our work had been concentrated in Northwest China. Now that the Xi’an Incident has been resolved peacefully, it is even more necessary to make arrangements for nationwide work; the task of national-level activities lies squarely before us. As for whether peace is truly secure, we should recognize that while the likelihood of peace is high, there remains the possibility of renewed conflict. Therefore, we must prepare for a defensive war. Nevertheless, our primary focus should be on consolidating peace and striving toward the goal of uniting the entire nation in the resistance against Japan. Our communiqué represents a significant concession—one of principle—and is aimed at the petite bourgeoisie and other groups beyond workers and peasants. This concession is made for a larger objective: the current stage of the revolution, namely the War of Resistance Against Japan. With regard to the land question, while we will not relax our stance in the broader context, at the present stage we should suspend the confiscation of land. The ten-year struggle under the Soviet regime was justified; likewise, the current shift is also justified. We ought to clarify this issue theoretically. Although the form has changed, the substance has not undergone any major alteration.

Zhou: