Propaganda Material Directed at the Enemy Forces Defending Kaifeng[1]

(June 1948)

Attention all officers and soldiers of the Kuomintang army besieged in Kaifeng:

Attention all personnel of Kuomintang provincial, county, and municipal government organs:

Attention all economic organs in Kaifeng city, including all public and private shops, factories, banks, warehouses, post and telecommunications, and transportation:

Attention Henan University and other schools, hospitals, churches, libraries, museums, and other cultural organs:

Attention citizens of all classes and trades throughout Kaifeng:

The Frontline Command and Political Department of the People's Liberation Army outside Kaifeng city now address you.

First, our army holds absolute superiority over the defending forces in Kaifeng, both in troop strength and firepower. The reinforcements you await have also been cut off by our army and cannot approach. Any resistance on your part is a meaningless sacrifice that harms both yourselves and others. If you have regard for your own safety and for the lives and property of the entire city, you should immediately lay down your arms, open the city gates, and welcome our army's entry. Our army solemnly undertakes the responsibility of protecting the safety of all of you, officers and soldiers alike. As long as you do this immediately, so that the lives and property of the residents inside and outside Kaifeng city and public and private buildings suffer less damage, our army will consider you to have rendered meritorious service in protecting the city, and all of you, whether officers or soldiers, will be treated leniently. If you do not do this, but persist in stubborn resistance, our army will resolutely annihilate you until you have all laid down your arms. Should anyone deliberately sabotage weapons and materiel or harm the people's lives and property, our army will thoroughly investigate and severely punish them.

[1] This text was personally revised by Mao Zedong.

Second, both before and after our army enters the city, all organs, organizations, and people of all circles within the city must jointly assume responsibility for maintaining order throughout the city, and no disruption whatsoever shall be permitted. All officials and police of the Kuomintang provincial, county, and municipal government organs at all levels, and all personnel in economic and cultural organs under the Kuomintang government, must rest assured, continue their duties as usual, and be responsible for protecting all assets, funds, and documents of their respective organs, pending disposition by our army. They must not neglect their duties, damage or destroy anything, or engage in conspiracy or sabotage. All officials and police who do not resist with arms will be treated leniently by our army. Other schools, churches, hospitals, and all private factories, shops, and residences will all be protected by our army, and no infringement upon them shall be permitted. It is hoped that all public-spirited social organizations and fair-minded personages will cooperate with our army after its entry into the city to jointly maintain order throughout the city and prevent destruction. It is hoped that all citizens will live and work in peace and contentment, and on no account create alarm or disturbance among themselves.