Telegram to the General Front Committee and Others
(April 15, 1949)

(1) The deadline for the peace negotiations is set for April 20 (mao-chieh). On this day (the 15th), it is to be announced to the Nanjing delegation. Whether or not that side will sign must be decided and their position made clear before that date. After that date, our army must immediately cross the river. (2) The final revised draft of the Peace Agreement is to be delivered to the Nanjing delegation today (the 15th). Tomorrow (the 16th), that side will send Huang Shaohong to fly to Nanjing to request instructions. Whether Nanjing is willing to sign is still hard to predict; it is possible they will refuse to sign. (3) Upon receiving this telegram, you are to make immediate preparations to securely capture, on the 20th (mao-chieh), all strongholds on the northern bank and mid-river islets except for Anqing and the Two Pukou areas. No error is permitted in this matter.

[1] This is the main content of a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong for the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, addressed to the General Front Committee, Su Yu, Zhang Zhen, Liu Bocheng, Zhang Jichun, and Li Da.