To all officers and men of the Nationalist forces holed up in Kaifeng: To all personnel of the Nationalist provincial, county, and municipal government organs: To all public and private shops, factories, banks, warehouses, postal and telecommunications offices, transportation facilities, and other economic institutions within Kaifeng City: To Henan University and other schools, hospitals, churches, libraries, museums, and other cultural institutions: To citizens of Kaifeng from all classes and occupations:  The Front Command and Political Department of the People’s Liberation Army outside Kaifeng are addressing you.

First: In both manpower and firepower, our forces enjoy an absolute advantage over the defenders of Kaifeng. The relief forces you have been awaiting have also been cut off by us and cannot reach you. Any further resistance on your part would be a senseless and self-defeating sacrifice, harmful to both yourselves and the people. If you are concerned for your own safety and for the lives and property of everyone in the city, you should immediately lay down your arms and open the gates to welcome our troops into the city. Our forces solemnly undertake to ensure the safety of every officer and soldier under your command. As long as you act without delay to minimize damage to the lives, property, and public and private buildings inside and outside the city, we will regard your defense of the city as meritorious and will extend lenient treatment to all, regardless of rank.  Should you fail to do so and persist in stubborn resistance, our forces will resolutely annihilate you until every last one of you has surrendered. Anyone who deliberately destroys weapons or supplies, or inflicts harm upon the lives and property of the civilian population, will be thoroughly investigated and severely punished.

Second: Both before and after our forces enter the city, all organizations and institutions within Kaifeng, as well as people from all walks of life, share the collective responsibility of maintaining order throughout the city; not the slightest disruption shall be permitted. All officials of the Nationalist provincial, county, and municipal governments, together with the police, and all staff of economic and cultural institutions under Nationalist administration, are expected to continue their duties as usual with full confidence. They must safeguard all assets and documents of their respective organizations and await our instructions—under no circumstances may they neglect their duties or deliberately cause damage. Any officials or police officers who offer no armed resistance will be treated favorably. Schools, churches, hospitals, and all private factories, shops, and residences will be fully protected by our forces and shall not be violated.  We appeal to all public-spirited social organizations and impartial individuals to cooperate with our forces after they enter the city, working together to maintain order and prevent destruction. We likewise urge all citizens to live in peace and tranquility, refraining from mutual alarm and panic.

Comrades, please read Chapter One of this document, so that you may understand the urgent need to eradicate certain serious forms of indiscipline still present in our work.