Reply to Liu Shaoqi and Wang Jiaxiang [1]
(August 4, 1949)
I sent a telegram to Peng Dehuai inquiring about the situation on the Gansu-Xinjiang road and when we could advance into Xinjiang. Received Peng’s reply of August 3, stating, “Since the main force of Hu Zongnan was annihilated, the two Ma forces have been retreating step by step. One of our columns has already captured Pingliang and Guyuan; another column can take Tianshui within a few days, and then will immediately advance on Lanzhou. We may be able to occupy Lanzhou by late August or early September, and at that time can begin preparations to advance into Xinjiang.”
[1]
This is the main content of Mao Zedong’s telegram to Liu Shaoqi and Wang Jiaxiang, who were visiting the Soviet Union, regarding the timing of advancing into Xinjiang.