Policy for Negotiations on the Guisui Issue[1]

(February 12, 1949)

If we can use negotiations to make Dong’s troops[2] withdraw to Houtao and cede Sui and Bao[3] to us, thereby facilitating railway transportation, that would be best. Dong and Deng’s[4] troops have insufficient supplies; we may consider providing them with some replenishment. Alternatively, Baotou could belong to them, Guisui to us, with a boundary line drawn in between. However, if Fu[5] and Deng, citing their troops’ small territory and lack of supplies, demand to retain Guisui, we may also make temporary concessions. This matter has already been discussed face-to-face with Comrade Luo Ronghuan[6]. Please have Lin, Luo, and Nie conduct negotiations with Fu and Deng according to this policy. After resolving the issue of E Yousan’s[7] bandit troops, our forces should cease further attacks on their side. If Dong Qiwu voluntarily relinquishes Guisui, we may then advance and occupy it; otherwise, we shall temporarily draw a boundary line between Guisui and Zhuozishan[8] and refrain from mutual infringement.

[1] This is a paragraph added by Mao Zedong to a telegram drafted by the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China, addressed to Li Jingquan, Political Commissar of the 20th Corps of the North China Military Region, with copies to Lin Biao, Luo Ronghuan, Nie Rongzhen, and others.

[2] Dong’s troops refer to the forces under Dong Qiwu, Chairman of the Kuomintang Suiyuan Provincial Government and Deputy Commander of the Kuomintang Northwest Military and Political Command, including the 9th Corps Headquarters, the 111th Army, the 310th Division, the 258th Division, the 228th Division, the Newly Organized 7th Division, the Reorganized 12th and 13th Cavalry Brigades, and the 5th and 11th Cavalry Brigades.

[3] Sui and Bao refer to Guisui (present-day Hohhot, Inner Mongolia) and Baotou.

[4] Deng refers to Deng Baoshan, formerly Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Kuomintang North China “Bandit Suppression” General Headquarters and Fu Zuoyi’s representative in peace negotiations.

[5] Fu refers to Fu Zuoyi.

[6] Luo Ronghuan was then Political Commissar of the Northeast Field Army.

[7] E Yousan was then Commander of the Kuomintang Reorganized 12th Cavalry Brigade.

[8] Zhuozishan is a town, now the county seat of Zhuozi County, Inner Mongolia.