Telegram to Zhou Enlai[1]

(November 1, 1940)

As for He and Bai’s “Hao Telegram,” a reply will still have to be drafted a few days later, because the “Hao Telegram” is an ultimatum, and our attitude must be appropriate; there is no question of simply ignoring it. The fundamental issue is that this rupture immediately carries the possibility of a permanent rupture with the big bourgeoisie; therefore, the political phrasing is easy, but military dispositions are difficult. At present there are two plans: (A) politically take the offensive, militarily take the defensive. (B) take the offensive both politically and militarily.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in reply to Zhou Enlai.