Telegram to the CPC Delegation in Nanjing[1]

(September 6, 1946)

The demand for unconditional ceasefire has now become unsuitable. Chiang’s troops have already occupied over twenty of our counties, including key locations such as Chengde, Zibo, and Taierzhuang. An unconditional ceasefire would allow Chiang’s troops to rest and regroup to their advantage for further fighting, while we would be unable to recover our lost territory. Therefore, we must begin to consider changing this demand. It is imperative that (1) Chiang’s troops withdraw from the occupied Liberated Areas, and (2) Chiang’s troops withdraw one-half of their forces from the Northeast, North China, Central China, and the Northwest and redeploy them to the provinces of South China. Only thus can it be guaranteed that fighting will not resume after a ceasefire; otherwise, there is no guarantee. Our army is now beginning to mobilize, determined to drive Chiang’s troops out of the Liberated Areas and, within six to eight months, annihilate one-third of all the frontline invading forces, namely 54 of the 162 brigades (excluding those of Yan, Fu, Ma, as well as puppet troops, security forces, and traffic police, etc.). What is your opinion? We hope you will discuss it and inform us.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to the CPC delegation in Nanjing. On September 8, Zhou Enlai replied by telegram, expressing the view that the Central Committee’s decision to annihilate one-third of the enemy’s forces to achieve victory and thereby reverse the situation was correct and necessary.