Directive on the Anshan Battle and the Handling of Captured Officers and Soldiers[1]

(May 29, 1946)

The captured officers and soldiers of the 60th Army[2] shall be accorded special preferential treatment. Conduct a detailed investigation into their internal situation, seize upon the anti-Chiang Kai-shek sentiments among the diehard troops, and transform these into opposition to the civil war. Call on them to learn from Gao Shuxun and establish a democratic national construction army. Enthusiastic mass welcome meetings shall be held for these captives, and responsible persons shall hold individual discussions with them to foster fervent anti-civil war sentiments within the 60th Army. Subsequently, a portion of the more progressive elements shall be sent back to their units in separate groups, with a dozen or so returned to each stronghold, and provided with relatively generous travel expenses.

[1] This is the main content of the directive on the Anshan Battle and the handling of captured officers and soldiers drafted by Mao Zedong for the Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee.

[2] The 60th Army was a Yunnan army that had conflicts with the direct lineage troops of the Kuomintang under Chiang Kai-shek.