Speech at the Plenary Session of the Seventh Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China[1]

(December 9, 1944)

1. The establishment of the Joint Committee of the Liberated Areas has four objectives: to organize the enemy-occupied areas, to strengthen the Liberated Areas, to assist the Great Rear Area, and to promote a coalition government. These four objectives must be put forward clearly.

2. In establishing the Joint Committee of the Liberated Areas under the present circumstances, we must also consider the reverse side. Although it is not called a government but the Joint Committee of the Liberated Areas, we must consider whether we will become isolated if the United States does not help, Chiang Kai-shek abolishes the Eighth Route Army, and the middle forces do not approve.

3. For now, only a preparatory committee should be established. The principal leading comrades of the Central Committee should not make public speeches or write editorials. We shall observe the situation and then discuss and decide.

[1] This is part of Mao Zedong's speech at the plenary session of the Seventh Plenary Session of the Sixth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China during the discussion on the question of establishing the Joint Committee of the Liberated Areas.