Telegram to Wang Jiaxiang[1]

(July 14, 1937)

Your letter written in Shanghai has been received. I am overjoyed to learn that you have arrived at your destination. How is your health? The Japanese army has launched a massive offensive in North China, and the Red Army is preparing to move and proceed to the front to coordinate in combat. On the 8th, our Party issued a declaration advocating resolute armed resistance and the defense of Beiping and Tianjin; the Red Army commanders also issued an open telegram, which was greatly welcomed by all sides. The national salvation movement in North China, Shanghai, and various other places is now surging forward on a large scale, and we are ordering all localities to organize united front organs. Enlai, Bogu, and Boqu[2] have already been at Lushan for several days, negotiating the policy for armed resistance and close cooperation.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram from Mao Zedong to Wang Jiaxiang, Director of the General Political Department of the Red Army. Wang Jiaxiang left Yan'an in early 1937 to seek medical treatment in the Soviet Union and became the representative of the Chinese Communist Party to the Communist International in November of the same year.

[2] Enlai, Bogu, and Boqu refer to Zhou Enlai, Qin Bangxian, and Lin Boqu. Qin Bangxian and Lin Boqu were then entrusted by the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party to assist Zhou Enlai in negotiations with the Kuomintang.