On this visit to Chongqing, I would like first of all to express my gratitude to Mr. Chiang [2] for his invitation and for the most gracious hospitality extended over more than forty days. I am also indebted to our host this evening, Mr. Zhang Wenbai [3], for arranging such a grand banquet, and to all the distinguished guests present today from every sector of society.


The current negotiations have attracted keen attention not only from the people throughout the country and from friends around the globe, but also from the governments of the Allied nations; for these talks do not concern merely the two parties involved, but rather issues that bear directly upon the interests of the entire Chinese nation.


As Mr. Zhang has pointed out, the situation surrounding the negotiations gives cause for optimism.


Now that the fascist powers in both the East and the West have been defeated, the world has entered an era of light, and China has likewise become a land of light.


Over the past thirty years, the world has endured two great wars. The Second World War differed in character from the First; during this conflict, both the world and China made rapid strides forward.


The aim of the present talks is to achieve peaceful nation-building.


Today, China has but one path before it: that of peace. Peace is paramount; all other courses of action are misguided.


The negotiations have been conducted in a spirit of cordiality. With respect to those matters on which no agreement has yet been reached, the parties have agreed to continue resolving them through consultation, rather than by any other means.


Peace, democracy, and unity—achieving national unification on the basis of these principles—is a policy that accords with the aspirations of the entire Chinese people, as well as with the expectations of people worldwide and the governments of the Allied nations.


Peace and cooperation should be sustained over the long term.


Let us unite as one, set aside all other considerations, and formulate a plan for enduring cooperation.


For decades, the people of the whole country, together with all political parties and groupings, have worked in unison under the leadership of Chairman Chiang to fully realize the Three Principles of the People and to build a new China that is independent, free, and prosperous. It is undeniable that difficulties exist; to fail to acknowledge this would be inappropriate.


The Chinese people now face challenges, and many more lie ahead. Yet the Chinese people are not daunted by adversity. The Kuomintang and the Communist Party, along with all other political forces, stand united and undaunted. No matter how formidable the obstacles may prove to be, guided by the principles of peace, democracy, and unified national solidarity, and under the leadership of Chairman Chiang, as we strive to fully implement the Three Principles of the People, we shall surely overcome every difficulty.


Printed in the Xinhua Daily, October 9, 1945.


Notes [1] This is Mao Zedong’s speech delivered at a farewell banquet hosted by Zhang Zhizhong prior to his departure from Chongqing.


[2] “Chiang” refers to Chiang Kai-shek.


[3] “Zhang Wenbai” is Zhang Zhizhong, whose courtesy name was Wenbai, who at the time served as Minister of the Political Department of the Military Commission of the Nationalist Government.