To Zhou Enlai and Dong Biwu[1]

(March 19, 1941)

What is Chiang Kai-shek's intention in organizing a party committee? Does Chiang agree that the party committee can only be a consultative and liaison body, not a decision-making body, and that no issue concerning a particular party shall take effect without that party's consent? Does Chiang intend to use this to place himself above all parties so as to dominate the entire nation? Please reply immediately on the above points.

[1] This is the main content of Mao Zedong's telegram to Zhou Enlai and Dong Biwu. On March 20, Zhou Enlai and Dong Biwu replied to Mao Zedong, suggesting the following countermeasures to deal with Chiang Kai-shek's plan to draw in various parties by organizing a party committee: propose to Chiang that the party committee must be placed outside the Political Consultative Conference, and all parties must be equal.