Telegram to Stalin Requesting Soviet Assistance in the Prevention and Control of Plague (October 28 and 30, 1949)

To Comrade Filippov [1]:  A pneumonic plague outbreak has occurred in the area north of Zhangjiakou, resulting in over sixty deaths. The epidemic has now spread to Zhangjiakou, where four people have died, posing a threat to Beijing and Tianjin. We would appreciate your consideration of whether it is possible to airlift four million doses of live bacterial vaccine and one hundred thousand doses of serum to Beijing for immediate use. The costs involved will be settled by the Chinese government through barter arrangements.

Furthermore, last time the Soviet government dispatched an anti-plague team of more than thirty members, led by Comrade Maisky [2] (ABC–D), to Northeast China to carry out plague prevention and control work. This mission achieved remarkable success, earning deep gratitude from the local population and Chinese health workers. The team is currently on its way back to the Soviet Union. If feasible, we kindly request your consideration as to whether the Soviet government could send another such team to Beijing, with a subsequent deployment to Zhangjiakou, to assist us in our efforts to prevent and control the plague. We would be immensely grateful should your government agree to do so!

Mao Zedong  October 28, 1949  To Comrade Filippov:  Your telegram of October 29 has been received. We are very grateful for your decision to dispatch specialized physicians, an anti-plague team, and substantial quantities of medical supplies to Beijing.

Mao Zedong  October 30, 1949  Printed according to the revised text.

Notes  [1] Filippov was Stalin’s code name.  [2] Maisky was a Soviet physician who at that time served as the Soviet leader of the Sino-Soviet joint anti-plague team.