Comrade Li Tao:

The Southwest Military Region requires thirty high-altitude transport aircraft for the march into Tibet. Please inquire with the Air Force Command whether preparations have already begun, by what date the aircraft and pilots can be fully prepared, and whether there is hope of achieving this within the next three to four months. Report back to me with the findings, and urge them on in this matter.

Mao Zedong
August 23

Zhou, make preparations. It is imperative that by January, February, or March of next year, thirty high-altitude aircraft (including the nine currently available) be ready.

(I)
Mao Zedong
August 24
Chuan

Li Tao’s report states: Regarding the issue of organizing thirty high-altitude transport aircraft to support the march into Tibet, inquiries with the Air Force Command indicate that, at the earliest, implementation can only begin in January 1951. Even this timeline is contingent upon the aircraft purchased from the Soviet Union arriving by November.