Li Zongren’s telegram still bears many traces of the “Ah Q” mentality, displaying a keen interest in self-promotion. The notion of “Kuomintang–Communist cooperation” without any clear boundaries is particularly disquieting to the general public. Nevertheless, fundamentally speaking, under the urging of the Chinese people nationwide, Li Zongren appears to have developed a certain degree of sincerity in hoping for a successful peaceful settlement. Whether this is indeed the case remains to be seen.

Reprinted from the Military Museum of the Chinese People’s Revolution.