Telegram to Gao Gang [1] Regarding the Urgent Need for the Border Defense Forces to Complete All Combat Preparations by the End of September (August 18, 1950) Comrade Gao Gang: (1) We have received your report delivered on August 15 at the Border Defense Forces’ Cadre Conference. This report is correct. (2) Comrade Xiao Jingguang [2] has come to discuss various matters concerning the Border Defense Forces, and all these issues can be resolved. (3) The deadline for the Border Defense Forces to complete their training and other preparatory work may be extended to the end of September. Please step up your supervision and ensure that all preparations are finished no later than September 30. Mao Zedong August 18 Based on the manuscript. Notes [1] Gao Gang was then Commander and Political Commissar of the Northeast Military Region of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. [2] Xiao Jingguang was then Commander of the Navy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. In July 1950 he was appointed Deputy Commander of the Northeast Border Defense Forces; however, the Border Defense Forces’ headquarters was never formally established.