Letter to Zhang Lan[1]

(June 1, 1949)

Mr. Biaofang:

I have respectfully received your telegram of May 29.[2] The revolutionary war is developing rapidly, and the day is not far off when the remnant enemy forces will be wiped out. Henceforth the focus of our work will be on construction, and we earnestly hope that friends from all quarters will join in this common endeavor. We warmly welcome you and Mr. Luo[3] when you come to Beiping.

Mao Zedong, Zhu De, Zhou Enlai, Dong Biwu

June 1

[1] Zhang Lan (1872–1955), courtesy name Biaofang, was a native of Nanchong, Sichuan Province. In 1941, he participated in initiating the League of Chinese Democratic Political Groups and was elected its chairman. When the league was reorganized as the China Democratic League in 1944, he served as its chairman until his death. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, he served as Vice Chairman of the Central People's Government and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.

[2] This refers to the telegram of May 29, 1949, sent by Zhang Lan, Chairman of the China Democratic League, to Mao Zedong, Zhu De, Zhou Enlai, and Dong Biwu, celebrating the victorious advance of the People's Liberation Army into the areas under Kuomintang rule.

[3] This refers to Luo Longji (1898–1965), courtesy name Nusheng, a native of Anfu, Jiangxi Province, who was then a member of the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League.