Reply to Zhou Enlai’s Telegram
(February 5, 1945)

I have read the letter brought by “Dibas”[2] and agree with your approach, but please note: (1) Do not completely reject Wang Shijie’s proposal[3]; only say that you can return to Yan’an to discuss it; (2) Do not overemphasize the national affairs conference; (3) Emphasize that without genuine democracy, it is extremely difficult for us to join the government. Please return to Yan’an after ascertaining the true intentions of all parties within three or four days.

[1] This is the main content of Mao Zedong’s reply to Zhou Enlai’s telegram.
[2] “Dibas” refers to the then military attaché at the US Embassy in China.
[3] Refers to the draft proposal for a political consultative conference put forward by Wang Shijie.