Hu Zongnan’s Army’s Encroachment on the Border Region and Our Army’s Countermeasures[1]

(July 30, 1945)

In this offensive, Hu Zongnan’s army has advanced in four routes, occupying a total of forty-four villages within the Eighth Route Army’s defense area. The first route on the eastern front has penetrated thirty-four li into the Shaanxi-Gansu-Ningxia Border Region; the second route in the center has penetrated twenty-four li into the Border Region; the third route in the center has penetrated twelve li into the Border Region; the fourth route on the western front has penetrated ten li into the Border Region. The diehard troops at the eastern and western ends are now forty-five li apart. The above situation is to be published in the newspapers, and representations are to be made to all parties concerned.

If the other side withdraws completely, our side guarantees not to step one pace beyond the original defense area of the Border Region. If they do not withdraw from Yetaishan, a battle will be hard to avoid; our side has already assembled a corresponding force and is awaiting orders.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram from Mao Zedong to Xu Bing and Liu Shaoqi.