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

(Mid-November 1939)

The current situation may turn out well or badly. For now, the possibility of it turning out well appears greater. After two years of the War of Resistance, capitulation would be difficult. The Kuomintang has not yet made the final decision to resolutely oppose communism, which is to say, "Opposing communism is fine, but it cannot be done." The middle bourgeoisie has become active and now dares to speak out. Under the current situation, our united front work must adopt a new posture. I propose issuing a directive on united front work. We must tell the whole Party that it is possible to overcome capitulation and that we must not wait passively for capitulation to arrive. Cultural circles must strengthen ties with the outside world. The Central Committee's Cultural Work Committee should be expanded, with Zhang Wentian concurrently serving as its secretary, and it should publish *Chinese Culture*. A congress of cultural circles should be convened soon. I propose organizing an enrollment committee to absorb large numbers of intellectuals. Regarding the issue of constitutional government, we must study it.

[1] This is part of a speech delivered by Mao Zedong at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China after hearing Wang Ming's report on the Fourth Session of the First National Political Council.