Having been in Chongqing for five days to hold central-level talks on national unity, no definitive outcome yet exists to reassure the Chinese people. All that can be said at present is that civil war can certainly be avoided. If our country’s political and military commands remain ununified, the consequences would indeed be disastrous; however, such unification must be grounded in a democratic political system. Only a political conference comprising representatives from all parties, groupings, and non-affiliated figures can resolve the current national crisis, and only a united, democratically oriented coalition government can bring happiness to the entire nation.

Democracy means that the people possess real power. The situation in the border and liberated areas differs from other regions: they have democratically elected governments and self-defense forces, but no baojia system. Baojia chiefs are instruments of rule over the people and should be abolished without fail.

Another outcome of the consultations is that the National Assembly will be postponed; on the question of representation, the two sides still have not reached agreement. The Communist Party does not advocate retaining the existing delegates and, in principle, supports the implementation of universal suffrage.

This treaty serves as a safeguard for peace in the Far East. Some contend that it is detrimental to China’s democratic movement, but in fact the opposite is true—time will tell. Others express surprise that the Soviet Union has addressed its concerns to the National Government, yet there is simply no other legitimate interlocutor. Moreover, the treaty does not restrict the Soviet Union’s right to comment on China’s political affairs; public opinion remains free to speak.

In recent days, the Soviet Red Star newspaper published an article stating that China should move toward democratic governance and expressing earnest hopes for closer cooperation between our two parties.

With a powerful ally, China need not fear aggression by other nations. Mr. Mao expressed his willingness to continue negotiations with a view to reaching an early resolution.