Zhang Lan (1872-1955) was at the time of this letter chairman of the China Den
cratic League in whose establishment in 1941 he took part. (In 1941 the League 4
Chinese Democratic Parties and Organizations was formed and in 1944 this
reorganized as the China Democratic League. It became one of the most influenti
“democratic parties” in the PRC in the first decade of the republic. See text Sept. 2.
1949, note 1, and text July 1, 1957, note 10.) He was also vice-chairman of the CPG
and a deputy-chairman of the Standing Committee of the NPC. For more biograp
information on Zhang, see H. Boorman et al.. eds. (1967), 1, pp, 82-83,

Mr. Biaofang:' ;
I am sending you a copy of a report submitted to me by Comrade t
Xiaoping, secretary of the Southwest Bureau [of the Central Committee of th
CPC]. Please read it (you may have your secretary read it to you), and you
may see from it the general situation with the work in the Southwest. Ple
return it to me when you are done. How are you? I am very concerned about
your health.
With my respect,
Mao Zedong
January 22

Note

1. Biaofang is Zhang's 27, or honorific name. For this usage see text Oct. 15, 1949, note 1

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