To Zhou Enlai, on Strengthening Domestic
and Foreign Contacts to Stop
Capitulation and Division

(November 6, 1940)

The important intelligence report of the 3rd, I read only this morning. There may
be some advantage and no harm if Chiang [Kaishek] joins the British-American
group, but it would be only bad, with no advantages, if he joined the German-Italian-Japanese group. We should no longer emphasize our opposition to joining
the British-American group, though we should not promote it either (because it is
an imperialist war group). At present, not only should the three forces of the Communist Party, the Chinese people, and the Soviet Union unite, but we should also
have diplomatic contacts with Britain and America, in order to prevent capitulation and to strike a blow at the pro-Japanese, pro-German activities. According to
the intelligence report of the 3rd, if the four forces mentioned above are able to
join together and coordinate actions, there is still a possibility of turning things
around for the better. Suppressing the Communists would mean the end of the
Party and the end of the country, and capitulation to the Japanese bandits would
inevitably mean splitting China four or five different ways and the toppling of
Chiang. Please take this opportunity to go around calling upon all sides of the
Guomindang in sincere and moving words to attempt to save the situation. Please
also consider whether or not you should request a meeting with Chiang [Kaishek]
and Chen [Cheng] at the appropriate moment. In all areas of activities we should
mobilize the majority of the people to get involved (both Party and non-Party).
The activities of Madame Chiang are worthy of attention.1 On the Guilin side,
please tell [Li] Kenong to do this too.

Our source for this telegram is Mao Zedong ji. Bujuan, Vol. 6, p. 195, where it is reproduced from a documentary collection published in China in 1982.
1. The thrust of this remark was no doubt to stress that, in view of her relatively moderate and conciliatory position on domestic affairs, and her pro-American sentiments, Mme.
Chiang might well be a positive influence.