Demobilization and Reorganization of the Army to Be Handled in a Unified Way by the Central Demobilization Committee[1]

(May 19, 1950)

Comrades Zhang and Gan, and inform the leading comrades of the East China, Central-South, Southwest, and Northeast military regions:

Your telegram of the 18th has been received. Regarding the demobilization and reorganization of the army, the Central Committee has formed a committee with Comrade Zhou Enlai as its head and Comrade Nie Rongzhen as its deputy head to handle in a unified way such matters as the number of soldiers to be demobilized, the timing, subsidies for their return home and for production, and arrangements for their reception and settlement by the local authorities. The Northwest should also handle these matters in a unified way. A week to half a month for centralized training is too short, and the question of granting funds for half a month to three months also needs further consideration. We shall wire you later.