Reply to Li Xiannian and Others[1]

(August 21, 1944)

You may inform Major O’Koshi[2] that the three issues he raised have been approved by Yan’an and can all be handled in cooperation: First, a radio network may first be set up within the area of the Fifth Division, and later extended to the lower reaches of the Yangtze River and the vicinity of Guangzhou, provided that all must receive approval from Yan’an; Second, intelligence on enemy forces may be supplied; Third, regarding the issue of coordinated operations during the landing of U.S. naval and ground forces, we are currently consulting with personnel of the U.S. Army Observer Group stationed in Yan’an and making all preparations.

During the course of cooperation, you may inform them of the circumstances of the Kuomintang’s attacks and sabotage, and request that they reflect this to higher levels.

[1] This is the main content of Mao Zedong’s reply to Li Xiannian, Zheng Weisan, Ren Zhibin, and Chen Shaomin, with copies to Zhang Yunyi and Rao Shushi. Zheng Weisan was then serving as Political Commissar of the Fifth Division of the New Fourth Army.

[2] O’Koshi, a major in the U.S. Army artillery, was dispatched by General Chennault of the U.S. 14th Air Force and arrived at the Fifth Division of the New Fourth Army on August 14, 1944.