A Spring Festival Appeal to Cadres and
Residents of the Districts and Villages1
(January 24, 1947)
(Xinhua News Agency dispatch, Yan’an, January 29) On January 24, Chairman
Mao and Commander-in-chief Zhu [De] held a banquet to entertain the labor
heroes, residents, and cadres of the military units stationed in the Yan’an area.
After shaking hands with each of their guests and wishing them a Happy New
Year, Chairman Mao and Commander-in-chief Zhu asked them about work
and life in detail in each township. District Head Lu reported on production,
self-defense, land revenue, and other issues in his district. Chairman Mao and
Commander-in-chief Zhu called on the cadres and masses to actively engage in
production, improve their living standards, produce sufficient clothing and food,
and not hold extravagant wedding receptions and funeral ceremonies. Chairman
Mao said:
As if climbing a mountain, we are about to reach the peak. We have overcome last year’s hardships, yet to achieve peace throughout the country, we must
resolutely defeat the offensive by Chiang Kaishek, who sabotaged the Political
Consultative Conference and the “ceasefire order.” Chairman Mao also called
for friendship and unity between the army and civilians and among neighbors to
achieve peace as early as possible.
Our source for this text is Mao Zedong ji. Bujuan, Vol. 8, p. 129, where it is reproduced
from Renmin ribao, February 1, 1947.
DOI:  10.4324/9781315719511-265