Talk at the Office of the Eighteenth Group Army in Chongqing

(August 29, 1945)

1. Impressions on the signing of the Sino-Soviet Treaty: The Soviet Union’s purpose in signing the treaty with China this time is fourfold: (1) To prevent the revival of Japanese fascism and the intrigues of the British and American reactionaries. (2) To define the Sino-Soviet border and prevent China from using border issues as grounds for anti-Soviet actions in the future. (3) Friendship with China is truly necessary for the Soviet Union. If no treaty were concluded, China would certainly become a key base for anti-Soviet activities in the future. (4) Regarding the Soviet Union’s future hopes for and assistance to the Chinese Communist Party, although the treaty expressly stipulates that the Soviet Union’s future assistance will go to the National Government, which seems disadvantageous to the Communist Party, in fact, the Soviet Union will henceforth support the Chinese Communist Party even more actively and help foster the establishment of a democratic new China. My [1] coming to Chongqing this time to confer with the Kuomintang was also at the Soviet Union’s suggestion, for the Soviet Union hopes that the Kuomintang and the Communist Party can have an opportunity to cooperate. Such a government, though not entirely in line with the Soviet Union’s ideal, is preferable to the outbreak of a violent civil war.

2. Forecast on the negotiations with the Kuomintang: Both sides have shown a fair degree of sincerity in these negotiations, and their prospects are comparatively optimistic, but you should not set your expectations too high. It is observed that Chairman Chiang’s objectives in these negotiations are twofold: (1) He hopes our Party [2] can accept his conditions. He considers himself the national leader, and once domestic stability is achieved, he will gradually move towards dictatorship. (2) If the negotiations yield no results, civil war will be unavoidable, and the sacrifices on both sides will be considerable. My discussions with Chairman Chiang this time: on one hand, can be said to be at the Soviet Union’s suggestion; on the other hand, it is to thwart Chiang’s schemes and win over public opinion, both domestic and international. However, regarding the conditions our Party has drafted this time, we are willing to make considerable concessions. For example, the proposal for a coalition government can be withdrawn, but other

[1] "I" refers to Mao Zedong, similarly hereinafter.

[2] "Our Party" refers to the Chinese Communist Party, similarly hereinafter.

key principles of negotiation will not be changed.

3. The new direction for our Party from now on shall be guided by the principle of rousing the nationwide tide of “democracy.” Therefore, we should shift from rural work to urban activities. Underground comrades in various localities may in the future engage in semi-open activities to win the masses’ sympathy for the Chinese Communist Party.

4. Strategy adopted in these negotiations: We hope these negotiations will yield some results. Hence, the methods adopted are: on one hand, to negotiate directly with Chiang; on the other hand, to draw close to and make contact with the left wing of the Kuomintang, such as Sun Ke, and figures like Zhang Lan of the Democratic League. Also, the American ambassador Hurley can provide indirect assistance. Thus, it is anticipated that the negotiations should yield a fair result.

Mao Zedong during the Chongqing negotiations.

During the Chongqing negotiations, Mao Zedong at the Eighth Route Army Office in Chongqing.

During the Chongqing negotiations, Mao Zedong in his office at the Eighth Route Army Office in Chongqing.

Mao Zedong’s residence during the Chongqing negotiations, No. 13 Hongyan Village.

During the Chongqing negotiations, Mao Zedong’s place for work and rest in Chongqing — the residence of Zhang Zhizhong at Guiyuan on Zhongshan Fourth Road.

During the Chongqing negotiations, Mao Zedong seeing off visitors at Guiyuan.

During the Chongqing negotiations, Mao Zedong posing for a group photo with Chinese and foreign journalists in Chongqing.

During the Chongqing negotiations, Mao Zedong posing for a group photo with Snow, Gong Peng, and others.

During the Chongqing negotiations, Mao Zedong posing for a group photo with Snow and Gong Peng.