Letter to Liu Yazi1
(November 21, 1944)
Dear Brother Yazi:
You have suffered more than enough hardships and disasters during the eighteen
years since our departure from Guangzhou, but you are not crushed. Instead, you
are still standing, majestic and independent. I celebrate you and the Chinese
people for this! “Wherever we are, we will both worry about our country; we
cannot forget Guangzhou, where we drank tea together.” This is the poem you
wrote for me several years ago, yet I still cannot write a single word today to
answer you. After seeing your photo, you look older. How is your spirit? Are you
in good health? I really hope I have a chance to see you, but I do not know if it is
possible.
Wishing you good health!
Mao Zedong with respect
Notes
Our source for this document is Mao Zedong shuxin xuanji, p. 244, where it is reproduced from the
manuscript.
1. Liu Yazi (1887–1958) was a noted democrat and poet who joined Sun Yatsen’s Revolutionary Alliance in
his early years. After serving on the Supervisory Committee of the Central Committee of the Guomindang,
he was expelled from the Guomindang for his criticism of Chiang Kaishek over the Southern Anhui Incident.
He joined the China Democratic League in 1944.