Chongqing made great contributions to consolidating and strengthening the united front and played a key role in multi-party cooperation in China.

Among the eight democratic parties in China, the China Democratic League, China Democratic National Construction Association, Jiusan Society, and (Three People's Principles) Comrades' Federation, a predecessor of the Revolutionary Committee of the Chinese Kuomintang, all originated in Chongqing, which makes the city an important birthplace of democratic parties of China.

China Democratic League

The China Democratic League is mainly composed of high- and intermediate-level intellectuals engaged in culture, education, science, and technology. It was secretly established at Teyuan (Xian Ying’s Mansion) in Shangqingsi on March 19, 1941. It was previously known as the China Democratic Political League, and the name changed in September 1944 with its reorganization.

In 1938, the Chinese People's War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (the War of Resistance) saw a stalemate. 

On November 23, 1939, Chongqing initiated the establishment of the United Comrades' Association for Nation's Founding, with the purpose of "gathering the national affairs enthusiasts, discussing national policies, and seeking consensus and unity in action."

On March 19, 1941, leaders of some centrist parties, in cooperation with the “three parties and three organizations” and social elites, set up the China Democratic Political League based on the United Comrades' Association for Nation’s Founding. Huang Yanpei was elected as the chairman of the Central Committee.

In 1944, the second democratic constitutional movement was launched in the Kuomintang-controlled areas due to changes in domestic and international situations. The China Democratic Political League became unprecedentedly active and drew many democratic personages without party affiliation.

In September 1944, the China Democratic Political League held a national congress at Teyuan and was reorganized into the China Democratic League. In October of the same year, it published political proposals in the Final Phase of the War of Resistance as a response to the Communist Party of China's call for establishing a government of a democratic coalition.

Chongqing Negotiations

After the War of Resistance's victory, the China Democratic Political League issued the Urgent Appeal in the Victory of the War of Resistance to clearly put forward "democratic reunification and peaceful nation-building," given the deteriorating relationship between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party. Chiang Kai-shek invited Mao Zedong to Chongqing for negotiations.

Mao Zedong arrived in Chongqing by plane on August 28, 1945, with Zhou Enlai, Wang Ruofei, and others to fight for peace. Mao Zedong visited Zhang Lan, chairman of the China Democratic League, three times.

On August 30, the third day after he arrived in Chongqing, Mao Zedong went to Teyuan and had a long talk with Zhang Lan. It was the first visit.

For the second visit, Zhang Lan, on behalf of the China Democratic League, hosted a banquet for Mao Zedong, Zhou Enlai, and others at Teyuan on September 2. After the banquet, Mao Zedong, requested by Xian Ying, waved the brush and wrote down "Min Zhu Zai Wang" (democracy to be expected soon), which inspired all.

For the third time, Mao Zedong visited Teyuan and familiarized Zhang Lan with the negotiations between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party on September 15. Zhang Lan made several suggestions to Mao Zedong, which were adopted.

In October 1945, the China Democratic League held a provisional national congress at Teyuan. The first Central Committee was decided, and Zhang Lan was elected as the Central Committee chairman. The political proposition of "peace, reunification, unity, and democracy" was put forward.

In September 1949, representatives of the China Democratic League attended the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference's first plenary meeting. They were involved in preparation for the establishment of the People's Republic of China.