Reply to Peng Dehuai’s Telegram[1]
(February 1, 1941)

The contradiction between Japan and Chiang Kai-shek remains the fundamental contradiction at present, and we must still exploit it to the fullest. The possibility that the current situation may drag on for several more months still exists. From the beginning of the rupture between the Guomindang and the Communist Party on January 17 to a complete rupture at some point in the future, there is a process. This process may be short, or it may be long, depending on the changes in the Japan-Chiang contradiction and on our policies. Our policy is to use this process to make the rupture favorable to us. However, our military preparations should be based on the possibility that it may be somewhat short. At present, politically we already hold the initiative; militarily, we must also grasp the initiative. It is estimated that this initiative will only come fully into our hands when international conditions mature. We must absolutely not lose the initiative. This is an important condition for victory or defeat. International conditions will certainly undergo a change this summer or autumn, and there will be another set of conditions next spring.

[1] This is the main content of Mao Zedong’s telegram replying to Peng Dehuai on the issue of the Japan-Chiang contradiction and other matters.