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To Mr. Li Jichen, He Xiangning, Shen Junru, Zhang Bojun, Ma Xulun, Wang Shaotao, Chen Qiyu, Peng Zemin, Li Zhangda, Cai Tingkai, Tan Pingshan, Guo Moruo, and through them to all democratic parties, people’s organizations, and non-affiliated democrats in Hong Kong: Your telegram of May 5 has only now come to hand owing to communication difficulties. We greatly admire your endorsement of our Party’s proposal of May 1—to convene a new Political Consultative Conference to discuss and bring about the convocation of a National People’s Congress and the establishment of a democratic coalition government—and your earnest efforts to see it realized.

At present, the revolutionary situation is expanding day by day. It is imperative that all democratic forces strengthen their unity and fight side by side, so as to swiftly eradicate the reactionary forces in China, halt U.S. imperialist aggression, and establish an independent, free, prosperous, and unified Chinese People’s Democratic Republic. To this end, there is a genuine need to convene representatives of all democratic parties, people’s organizations, and non-affiliated democrats for joint consultation. With regard to the timing and venue of such a conference, who should convene it, the scope of participation, and the issues to be discussed, we hope that you and all democratic figures throughout the country will deliberate together and kindly share your insightful views. We would be deeply grateful.

This is a prompt reply by telegraph; we respectfully request your understanding.

Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China  May 1st, Year Unknown (likely 1948)

People’s Daily, August 6, 1948  (Hong Kong: Telegram from Various Democratic Parties and Democratic Figures to Chairman Mao Endorsing the CPC’s May Statement on the Current Situation; Chairman Mao’s Reply Requesting Joint Discussion of Specific Steps with the Masses (Hong Kong))

Vol. 2, No. 31, August 12, 1948  “Chairman Mao’s Telegram Reply to Overseas Democratic Figures”