Reply to Deng Liqun et al. [1]
(September 19, 1949)
After the People’s Liberation Army has arrived in Xinjiang and the region has been peacefully liberated, the Central Committee intends to consider establishing a Xinjiang Military and Political Committee to oversee military, political, and economic affairs. In addition to comrades from the CPC, it is proposed to invite Zhang Zhizhong, Tao Zhiyue, Burhan Shahidi, and representatives from the Ili area to join, thereby forming a leading body of the united front. Peng Dehuai will serve as both Chairman of the Northwest Military and Political Committee and Chairman of the Xinjiang Military and Political Committee. The Xinjiang Provincial Government will be reorganized, with Burhan Shahidi remaining as its chairman; the members will primarily consist of CPC representatives and representatives of Xinjiang’s various ethnic groups, supplemented by a few individuals from the factions of Zhang Zhizhong and Tao Zhiyue. Please convey the above to Burhan Shahidi and your friends in Dihua, and solicit their views.
[I]
This is the main content of a telegram drafted by Mao Zedong on behalf of the CPC Central Committee, replying to Deng Liqun and informing Peng Dehuai, Zhang Zongsun, and the Northwest Bureau.