Conversation with Nationalist Government Liaison Staff Officers Chen Hongmo and Others[1]

(November 6, 1941)

1. Why must He Wendin attack? 2. If the two matters of releasing our people and issuing pay and provisions are carried out together, our side will then attend the Political Consultative Council; otherwise, our side will request leave and make no other expression, so as to show that we do not wish to make things difficult for the Nationalist Party.

You must not think that only the Communist Party faces difficulties and can be bullied. You must know that the Nationalist Party still has enormous difficulties lying ahead. I assure you, so long as the Nationalist Party resists Japan, no matter what dangers and difficulties the Nationalist Party may encounter, the Communist Party will absolutely not exploit its misfortunes for gain and will still cooperate with you.

[1] This is part of Mao Zedong’s conversation with Nationalist Government liaison staff officers Chen Hongmo, Zhou Liwu, and Guo Yasheng, who were invited to attend the opening session of the Senate of the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region, concerning two matters: He Wendin’s troops attacking the Border Region and Communist senators attending the Political Consultative Council.