Mao Zedong's Comment on Zhou Enlai's Letter Regarding the Exposure of the Kuomintang's Conspiracy in the Political Consultative Council

(August 19, 1943)

Agreed

Mao Zedong

August 19

Attached Original Letter:

Chairman Mao:

In Elder Dong's telegram, there are several noteworthy matters:

In light of this, it is estimated that Chiang may be shifting from general anti-Communist propaganda to contending with us over democratic slogans (defensive in nature, but still likely to turn into an offensive). Convening the National Assembly and proclaiming a constitution is, of course, a fraud, but it will not be entirely without impact in form. In our work to expose his sham democracy, we must be prepared. I propose: 1. First, send a telegram to Elder Dong, asking him to reconnoiter the situation and discuss attendance with the minor parties; 2. In the movement against fascist secret police politics, expose any deception of his sham democracy in parallel with exposing his passive resistance to Japan; 3. For our external propaganda (including operations, democracy, production, study, etc.), establish a dedicated broadcast aimed at Chongqing and the greater rear area (already discussed with Director Wang; it can be arranged for four hours daily), and designate personnel to compile daily broadcast dispatches (specific methods to be proposed separately). I wonder if this is correct?

In coordination with this political possibility, it is estimated that Chiang will inevitably continue to adopt a stance of awaiting opportunities for military preparations against the Border Region.

The draft telegram to Elder Dong is attached for your review!

Salutations!

Zhou Enlai

--- Notes

1. The Kuomintang intends to convene the Eleventh Central Committee Plenary Session before the Political Consultative Council meeting to announce the convening of a National Assembly, or to hold it afterward, with the Political Consultative Council first proposing it and the Plenary Session accepting it;

2. The Political Consultative Council originally planned to oppose the Communists, hence Elder Dong was not notified of the meeting; later, the plan was changed, thus signaling a conciliatory gesture;

3. The regular session of the Political Consultative Council has been suspended; the meeting in mid-September will likely remain unchanged;

4. The various minor parties have not yet decided whether to attend, though in principle there must be some action;

5. Chiang, in a special joint intelligence report, instructed that opposition to the Communists should not temporarily be conducted in the name of the Party (Central Propaganda Department circular);

6. Recently, anti-Communist news in the newspapers of Chongqing has been temporarily suspended.