(August 23, 1949)
To Peng and Zhang, with He and Xi:
All telegrams have been received.
(1) Since Ma Bufang (3) has resolved to defend Lanzhou, this is advantageous for our forces to annihilate his troops. To achieve this objective, it appears necessary to concentrate the full strength of three corps on the Lanzhou Campaignyl . After Wang Zhen’s Corps crosses the river upstream, it should move to the rear of Lanzhou—to cut off Lanzhou’s routes to Qinghai and Xinjiang and join the attack, primarily by blocking the route to Xinjiang—so as not to allow Ma Bufang to retreat into Xinjiang, where he could cause endless harm. Before launching the attack, about a week or more will likely be required for the troops to recover from fatigue, conduct detailed reconnaissance of enemy positions and terrain, boost morale, make thorough combat preparations, and be ready to deliver not one but two or three successive assaults in order to destroy Ma’s forces and capture Lanzhou｜.
(2)
I agree with holding a standing committee meeting of the Northwest Bureau either in Dingxi or Lanzhou. Please calculate the timing. Comrade He Long, if he can arrive in Beiping by September 15th to attend the CPPCC (the CPPCC is scheduled to open on September 10th,
[1]
with the closing session on the 20th, so He could arrive on the 15th and attend roughly half of the proceedings), may then proceed together with Comrade Xi Zhongxun to hold the meeting near Lanzhou｜. However, they must be accompanied by robust armed escorts along the way, and maintaining strict secrecy is paramount. (3) He’s visit to Beiping is not only to participate in the CPPCC; it also provides an opportunity to discuss with Deng Xiaoping (I) the task of entering Sichuan and the necessity of bringing Zhang Zhizhong and Deng Baoshan (2」) along to the Northwest. (4) The Northwest Bureau should prepare to relocate to Lanzhou, as the future Northwest People’s Government is to be established there.
[ I]
Mao Zedong’s handwritten draft of “It is Necessary to Concentrate the Full Strength of Three Corps on the Lanzhou Campaign,” prepared on behalf of the CPC Central Committee.

Two Letters to Huang Yanpei
(August 24 and 26, 1949)
Mr. Ren Zhi:
The statement issued by the spokesperson of the China Democratic Construction Association regarding the White Paper is exceptionally well written, and it will undoubtedly play a significant educational role among the national bourgeoisie. Documents of this nature produced by the association—vivid, proactive, principled, promising, and full of hope—should help foster a sense of initiative within the organization, which is essential for any political party.
Respectfully submitted!
Mao Zedong
August 24
[I]
Mr. Ren Zhi:
I have carefully read your letter of August 24th and am very pleased. This statement by the China Democratic Construction Association is not merely a response to the White Paper; it also clarifies the very principles underlying the existence and development of the national bourgeoisie, thereby establishing a theoretical foundation and fostering the association’s initiative, which will greatly benefit future cooperation. It is also commendable and necessary that the association conducts its affairs through democratic procedures. Although such methods may seem slow, they are in fact efficient: once everyone’s thinking is aligned and consensus is reached, subsequent work becomes much easier.
Warmest congratulations!
Mao Zedong
August 26

--- Notes

This is a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong on behalf of the CPC Central Committee to Peng Dehuai, Commander and Political Commissar of the First Field Army, and Deputy Commander Zhang Zongsun, among others.
[2]
He and Xi refer to He Long and Xi Zhongxun,
who at that time served respectively as Commander and Political Commissar of the Northwest Military Region.
[3]
Ma Bufang was then the Chief of the Northwestern Pacification Headquarters of the Nationalist Government’s military administration.
[4]
The Lanzhou Campaign,
or Battle of Lanzhou. The First Field Army launched the Battle of Lanzhou on August 21, 1949,
and liberated Lanzhou on the 26th. Following the annihilation of Ma Bufang’s New Cavalry Army in Linxia and other areas, the First Corps advanced into Qinghai,
capturing Xining on September 5. In this campaign, over 42,000 Nationalist troops were destroyed,
effectively wiping out Ma Bufang’s forces.
[5]
Wang Zhen’s Corps refers to the First Corps of the First Field Army, commanded by Wang Zhen, who also served as its Political Commissar.


Deng Xiaoping was then the Political Commissar of the Second Field Army.
Central
not obstructed
[2]
Deng Baoshan had formerly served as Deputy Commander-in-Chief of the Nationalist Government’s North China “Bandit Suppression” General Command.


Refers to the statement titled “Strengthen Internal Unity and Vigilance: A Reply Showing That the U.S. Imperialists’ Dreams Will Never Come True,” released on August 24, 1949, by the spokesperson of the China Democratic Construction Association in Beiping, refuting the U.S. White Paper. The statement pointed out that:
The U.S. Department of State published the White Paper “U.S.-China Relations” in order to conceal its failures and deceive the public. The dream of developing “democratic individualism” put forward in the White Paper will never materialize. The fundamental conflict of interests between China’s national bourgeoisie and imperialism determines its stance toward all imperialist powers, including U.S. imperialism. The Chinese national bourgeoisie will not become capital or a condition for the U.S. to develop “democratic individualism.” Only new democracy offers them the sole path to light and happiness.