Telegram dated May 5: Owing to communication difficulties, we have only now received your message. We greatly admire the fact that you and other distinguished gentlemen have endorsed 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, thereby establishing a democratic coalition government—and have ardently sought its realization.  At present, the revolutionary situation is steadily advancing. It is imperative that all democratic forces strengthen their unity and fight side by side, with the aim of swiftly crushing the reactionary forces in China, halting U.S. imperialist aggression, and founding an independent, free, prosperous, and unified People’s Democratic Republic of China. To this end, there is a pressing 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 call it, the scope of participation, and the issues to be discussed, we earnestly hope that you and democratic figures from all sectors of the nation will deliberate together and offer your wise insights. We would be deeply grateful for your guidance.  We hereby reply by telegram and respectfully request your understanding.

Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
Mao Zedong

(Originally published in the People’s Daily on August 6, 1948)