In 1927, Peng was approached several times by Communist Party members, some of which were old friends, who attempted to recruit him into the party. In August 1927, Peng was approached by an old military comrade, : he was sympathetic but could not decide on joining the party. On October 12, Peng was approached by Duan Dechang, a party representative: Peng again expressed sympathy and interest but still considered himself a member of the "Kuomintang left wing" and could not yet bring himself to break with the party. Peng considered joining the Communist Party for some time, met Duan again later that October, and began to study basic communist theory. Peng secretly joined the Communist Party of China in mid-February 1928.