Estimate of the Current Situation and Our Party’s Policy[1]

(July 5, 1946)

Zhou, and inform Ye and Li[2]:

(1) There is a possibility of improvement in the situation, the main reason being the existence of our Party’s strength and our resolute struggle. (2) Our army’s main forces are now making preparations. If the situation worsens, we will fight on a large scale; if it improves, we will not fight; if it drags on, we will fight on a small scale. (3) In accordance with the spirit of the Central Committee’s July 7 Manifesto[3] (broadcast tonight), persist in resolving both political and military issues simultaneously, that is, a comprehensive, long-term, and unconditional ceasefire, full implementation of the CPPCC resolutions[4] and the principles for army reorganization[5], and resolutely reject all of Chiang Kai-shek’s unreasonable demands. (4) Our Fifth Division has already passed through the period of danger and reached the area north and south of Sui-Zao[6], where blocking troops are very few and pursuing troops are not pressing hard. After resting for a few days, our troops will move freely. If the situation improves, they can withdraw to North China under the condition that the Kuomintang does not block or pursue them; if the situation worsens and they are blocked and pursued, this unit will move freely in the vast region in order to survive.

The Central Committee

Wuwu-hai

[1] This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to Zhou Enlai.
[2] Ye and Li refer to Ye Jianying and Li Kenong, who were then, respectively, the CPC member and the secretary-general of the Executive Headquarters of the Peiping Military Mediation Department.
[3] The July 7 Manifesto refers to the “Manifesto of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China for the Ninth Anniversary of the July 7 Incident.” The manifesto called for: (1) the immediate re-issuance of orders for an unconditional and indefinite cessation of hostilities, cessation of troop movements, cessation of the construction of fortifications, and cessation of conscription throughout the country (including the Northeast) without exception; (2) the reconvening of the Political Consultative Conference and the reorganization of the Kuomintang’s one-party dictatorship government into a democratic coalition government; (3) demobilization and disarmament, and the abolition of the warlord system; (4) the U.S. government to stop armed intervention in China’s internal affairs, stop abetting China’s civil war, and immediately and voluntarily withdraw all its land, sea, and air forces from China.
[4] The CPPCC resolutions refer to the five resolutions adopted at the Political Consultative Conference held by representatives of the Kuomintang, the Communist Party, other parties, and non-party personages in Chongqing from January 10 to 31, 1946: (1) the agreement on the issue of government organization; (2) the program for peaceful national reconstruction; (3) the agreement on the issue of the National Assembly; (4) the agreement on the issue of the draft constitution; (5) the agreement on military issues. These resolutions of the Political Consultative Conference were, to varying degrees, beneficial to the people and detrimental to Chiang Kai-shek’s reactionary rule. On the one hand, Chiang Kai-shek professed to recognize these resolutions, attempting to use them for peaceful deception; on the other hand, he actively prepared for war, planning to launch a nationwide civil war. These resolutions of the Political Consultative Conference were all torn up by Chiang Kai-shek one by one soon afterward.
[5] The principles for army reorganization refer to the principles for army reorganization put forward in the agreement on military issues of the Political Consultative Conference. This agreement stipulated that “the military system shall be reformed in accordance with our country’s democratic political system and national conditions,” “the conscription system shall be improved,” “military education shall be conducted in accordance with the principles for army building, forever transcending party systems and personal relations,” “separation of the army from the party shall be implemented,” “separation of military and civilian governance shall be implemented,” and other principles.
[6] Sui-Zao refers to Sui County and Zaoyang in Hubei Province.