Telegram Regarding Confidential Communications Sent via Wired Telegraph to Chen Yi [1] Comrade Chen Yi, with a copy to Rao [2]: With regard to all the matters discussed herein, when you draft your telegram, for the sake of secrecy, please transmit it by wired telegraph rather than radio.
Henceforth, all confidential telegrams should be sent via wired telegraph; radio should not be used.
Only non-confidential communications may be transmitted by radio.
This policy applies equally to the Party, government, and military.
The same principle should be followed by Party, government, and military organs at lower levels: wherever wired telegraph facilities are available, they should be utilized to ensure confidentiality.
At a time when the struggle between us and our enemies is becoming increasingly acute, the issue of secrecy deserves our utmost attention.
Mao Zedong, September 1st, printed from the manuscript.
Notes [ ] Chen Yi was then Second Secretary of the East China Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Commander of the East China Military Region of the People’s Liberation Army, and Mayor of the Shanghai Municipal People’s Government. [2] Rao refers to Rao Shushi, who at that time served as First Secretary of the East China Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Chairman of the East China Military and Political Committee, and Political Commissar of the East China Military Region of the PLA.