Distinguished Delegates, the Political Consultative Conference so ardently desired by the people of the whole country is now in session. Our conference comprises over six hundred delegates representing all democratic parties, people’s organizations, the People’s Liberation Army, various regions, ethnic groups, and overseas Chinese compatriots throughout China. This clearly demonstrates that our meeting is one of great national unity. Such unity has been achieved only because we have defeated the reactionary Nationalist government, which was backed by U.S. imperialism. Over a period of more than three years, the heroic People’s Liberation Army—unique in its valor on the world stage—has repelled offensives by millions of troops supplied by the United States to the Nationalist reactionaries and then launched counteroffensives of its own. Today, field armies numbering in the millions have advanced to areas near Taiwan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Guizhou, Sichuan, and Xinjiang, liberating the vast majority of the Chinese people. During these same three years, the entire nation rallied to support the People’s Liberation Army, fought against its enemies, and secured a decisive victory. It is upon this very foundation that we convene today’s Political Consultative Conference. We call it a “political consultative” conference because three years ago we had already held such a conference together with Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist Party. That earlier meeting was sabotaged by Chiang Kai-shek and his collaborators; nevertheless, it left an indelible impression on the masses. It proved beyond doubt that no task beneficial to the people could ever be accomplished in partnership with Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist Party—puppets of imperialism—and their accomplices. Even if resolutions were somehow forced through, they would be worthless; as soon as conditions suited them, those forces would tear up every agreement and unleash brutal war upon the people. The sole positive outcome of that previous conference was the profound lesson it imparted: there can be no compromise with Chiang Kai-shek’s Nationalist Party and its imperialist stooges. Either we must overthrow these enemies, or we shall be crushed by them—there is no other path. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people quickly awakened over the past three years, organized themselves, and forged a nationwide united front against imperialism, feudalism, bureaucratic capitalism, and their concentrated embodiment—the reactionary Nationalist government—to support the People’s Liberation War. In doing so, we fundamentally toppled the Nationalist regime, ended imperialist domination in China, and restored the Political Consultative Conference. The present Political Consultative Conference of the Chinese People is convened on an entirely new basis. It truly represents the entire nation and enjoys the trust and support of the people everywhere. Accordingly, the Political Consultative Conference declares that it assumes the functions of a National People’s Congress. On its agenda, the conference will adopt the Organic Law of the Political Consultative Conference, the Organic Law of the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China, and the Common Program of the Political Consultative Conference. It will also elect the National Committee of the Political Consultative Conference, the Committee of the Central People’s Government, and decide upon the national flag and emblem of the People’s Republic of China, designate Beijing as the capital, and adopt a calendar system aligned with that of most nations worldwide.

Fellow Delegates: We share a common conviction—that the work before us will be recorded in human history, testifying that the Chinese, who constitute one quarter of humanity, have at last risen to their feet. The Chinese have always been a great, courageous, and industrious people; it was only in modern times that we fell behind. This backwardness was entirely the result of oppression and exploitation by foreign imperialists and domestic reactionary regimes. For more than a century, our forebears waged unyielding struggle against both internal and external oppressors without pause, including the Xinhai Revolution led by the great pioneer Sun Yat-sen. They entrusted us with the mission of fulfilling their aspirations. And now we have done just that. By uniting in the People’s Liberation War and the Great People’s Revolution, we have overthrown both internal and external oppressors and proclaimed the founding of the People’s Republic of China. From this moment forward, our nation will join the family of peace-loving, freedom-seeking peoples around the globe, working courageously and diligently to build our own civilization and happiness while contributing to global peace and freedom. No longer will we be a humiliated people; we have stood up. Our revolution has won the sympathy and acclaim of countless people worldwide, and our friends are found across the globe. Yet our revolutionary work is not yet complete. The People’s Liberation War and the ongoing people’s revolutionary movement continue to advance, and we must press on. Imperialists and domestic reactionaries will never accept defeat; they will make one last desperate stand. Even after national pacification, they will persist in sabotage and disruption, attempting daily and hourly to restore their rule. This is inevitable and undeniable. We must remain ever vigilant. Our people’s democratic dictatorship is a powerful weapon for safeguarding the fruits of the revolution and countering any attempts at restoration by internal and external enemies. We must wield this weapon firmly. Internationally, we must unite with all peace-loving, freedom-respecting nations and peoples—above all with the Soviet Union and the newly democratic states—so that our struggle to protect the gains of the revolution and resist counterrevolutionary plots does not leave us isolated. As long as we uphold the people’s democratic dictatorship and maintain solidarity with our international friends, we shall prevail forever. The people’s democratic dictatorship, coupled with international solidarity, will ensure rapid success in our construction efforts. A nationwide economic drive lies before us. Our favorable conditions include a population of 475 million and a territory spanning 9.597 million square kilometers. Admittedly, we face numerous challenges, but we are confident that the heroic struggle of the entire nation will overcome them all. The Chinese people possess an exceptionally rich experience in surmounting difficulties. If our ancestors and we ourselves could endure prolonged, extreme hardships and vanquish formidable internal and external reactionaries, why should we fail to build a prosperous and flourishing nation in the wake of victory? So long as we maintain a spirit of hard struggle, remain united, and uphold the people’s democratic dictatorship while cultivating close ties with our international allies, we shall swiftly achieve triumph on the economic front. As the economic construction gathers momentum, a corresponding upsurge in cultural development will inevitably follow. The days when the Chinese were regarded as uncivilized are gone; we shall emerge before the world as a highly cultured people. Our national defense will be strengthened, ensuring that no imperialist power ever again encroaches upon our homeland. Building upon the proven valor of the People’s Liberation Army, we must preserve and further develop our armed forces. We shall possess not only a mighty army but also a robust air force and a formidable navy. Let the internal and external reactionaries tremble before us! Let them scoff and say we cannot do this or that. The unwavering resolve of the Chinese people will steadily bring about our goals. Eternal glory to the heroic martyrs who laid down their lives in the People’s Liberation War and the People’s Revolution! Long live the founding of the People’s Republic of China! Congratulations on the success of the First Session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference!


Oo People’s Daily, September 23, 1949; Xinhua Monthly, October 15, 1949; Female Communist Party Historical Reference Material, Volume 5: Chairman Mao’s Opening Address at the First Session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, p. 35.


Since Chiang Kai-shek’s reactionary Nationalist government betrayed the motherland, colluded with imperialism, and unleashed a counterrevolutionary war in 1946, the people of the entire country have been plunged into dire suffering. Thanks to the selfless and valiant fighting of our People’s Liberation Army, supported by the broad masses, to defend national territorial integrity, safeguard the lives and property of the people, alleviate their misery, and secure their rights, we have annihilated the reactionary forces and overthrown the Nationalist regime’s oppressive rule. Now the People’s Liberation War has achieved a decisive victory, and the majority of our people have been liberated. On this solid foundation, the First Plenary Session of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, composed of representatives from all democratic parties, people’s organizations, the People’s Liberation Army, various regions, ethnic groups, overseas Chinese, and other patriotic democrats, has convened. Representing the will of the entire nation, the conference adopted the Organic Law of the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China and elected Mao Zedong as Chairman of the Central People’s Government, with Zhu De, Liu Shaoqi, Soong Ching-ling, Li Jishen, Zhang Wentian, and Gao Gang serving as Vice Chairmen. Chen Yi, He Long, Li Lisan, Lin Boqu, Ye Jianying, He Xiangning, Lin Biao, Peng Dehuai, Liu Bocheng, Wu Yuzhang, Xu Xiangqian, Peng Zhen, Bo Yibo, Nie Rongzhen, Zhou Enlai, Dong Biwu, Saifuding, Rao Shushi, Tan Kah Kee, Luo Ronghuan, Deng Zihui, Ulanhu, Xu Teli, Cai Chang, Liu Geping, Ma Yinchu, Chen Yun, Kang Sheng, Lin Feng, Ma Xulun, Guo Moruo, Zhang Yunyi, Deng Xiaoping, Gao Chongmin, Shen Junru, Shen Yanbing, Chen Shutong, Sydenham, Li Xijiu, Huang Yanpei, Cai Tingkai, Xi Zhongxun, Peng Zemin, Zhang Zhizhong, Fu Zuoyi, Li Zhuchen, Li Zhangda, Zhang Bojun, Cheng Qian, Zhang Xiruo, Chen Mingshu, Tan Pingshan, Zhang Nanxian, Liu Yazi, Zhang Dongsun, and Long Yun as members of the Committee of the Central People’s Government. The committee unanimously resolved to proclaim the establishment of the People’s Republic of China, designate Beijing as its capital, and declare that the Central People’s Government is the sole legitimate representative of the Chinese people. It further resolved to extend diplomatic relations to any foreign government willing to abide by principles of equality, mutual benefit, and mutual respect for territorial sovereignty. This is hereby announced. Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China (Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, October 1, 1949)