(13 May 1950)

Request Comrade Li Weihan[1] to take charge of reviewing the Tibetan-language broadcasts and to stipulate the content and orientation of said broadcasts.

Mao Zedong
13 May

[1] This is Mao Zedong’s comment on the report of 3 May 1950 from the Southwest Bureau of the CPC Central Committee relaying the situation from the Ganzi intelligence station to the Central Committee. The report from the Ganzi intelligence station stated: Some Tibetans have reported that the Beijing Tibetan-language broadcast once aired words to the effect that “the Tibetan people are subjected to the dual oppression of theocracy and aristocracy, and we are determined to come and liberate you.” If the Tibet issue is to be resolved by force, such wording is permissible. Otherwise, it is unnecessary, especially at a time when Tibet harbours inward-leaning sentiments; efforts should be made to win over the Dalai Lama. In this way, the liberation of Tibet can achieve twice the result with half the effort.

[2] Li Weihan (1896–1984), also known as Luomai, from Changsha, Hunan. At the time, he served as Minister of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the Ethnic Affairs Commission of the Central People’s Government.