Speech at the Meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China[1]

(February 28, 1937)

1. The Xi’an Incident occurred accidentally and hastily under special circumstances. It could not have been prepared in advance, and it took many twists and turns; such events will rarely occur in the future. Work must change rapidly in accordance with the political situation. Here, a disconnect with local work became apparent; the policy we set was not well integrated with local work. In a rapidly changing environment, we achieved our objectives on the broad scale, and this is good. However, this disconnect between the general policy and the local policy is something worthy of our attention. The policy of a revolutionary party must pay attention to the connection between the whole and the parts, and must link our policy politically with the masses. This time there was a clash—one side wanting to fight and kill, the other wanting peace and release—a clash that manifested between the leaders and the masses. We upheld the policy of peace, but became politically isolated from the masses.

2. The Xi’an Incident was temporary, and our work should be carried out and arranged according to the principle of temporariness.

3. The struggles of the past fifteen years have proved that the masses have faith in the Communist Party. This incident further proved that the masses believe in the Communist Party based on their political experience. We have made a major shift in our political line and must conduct extensive education among the masses. This is an important task for us.

4. The change concerning the resolution of the land question is primarily aimed at winning over upper-level figures—local gentry, merchants, and capitalists—and eliminating the antagonism between the two regimes. Therefore, this is a victory and is significant.

5. Regarding the abolition of exorbitant taxes and levies, and the increase of wages and allowances, it is necessary to abolish exorbitant taxes and levies to the greatest extent possible, but this alone is insufficient.

6. The Red Army has great influence, and attention should be paid to working methods. Organize visiting groups to go to Xi’an to meet the masses and explain the significance of the peaceful settlement.

[1] On February 28, 1937, Mao Zedong attended a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, listened to Qin Bangxian’s report on the Party and mass work during the Xi’an Incident, and delivered a speech. This is part of Mao Zedong’s speech at the meeting.