Notes and Reply Letters on the Report Concerning Preparations and Other Matters of the Northeast Frontier Defense Forces[1]

(September 1 and 3, 1950)

After Shaoqi[2] reads this, send it to Zhou Enlai[3] for reading. Please ask Zhou to convene a meeting with the relevant personnel concerning the various issues raised by Gao Gang, and inform me of the results.

Comrade Gao Gang:

Your letter of August 30 has been received. My reply is as follows:

Mao Zedong
September 1

[1] The first part of this piece is Mao Zedong's comments on the report of August 30, 1950 from Gao Gang, First Secretary of the Northeast Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Commander and Political Commissar of the Northeast Military Region of the People's Liberation Army. The second part is Mao Zedong's reply letter to Gao Gang's report.
[2] Shaoqi, i.e. Liu Shaoqi.
[3] Zhou, i.e. Zhou Enlai.

***

(1) On the combat side of the friendly forces,[1] difficulties such as those you mentioned in your letter may arise. But it is estimated that for the time being it will not be convenient to change, and it is necessary to fight for a period (there is also such a need); when it can no longer be fought and losses have become heavy, they will gradually adopt a defensive posture. The friendly side has very large reserves of personnel (already over one million have signed up), and equipment is available, so it is estimated that they can hold out for quite a long time.
(2) Two thousand motor vehicles can be procured.
(3) The railway corps can be deployed when needed, but is not needed at present.
(4) Moving ammunition northward is necessary; please proceed with it immediately.
(5) The overall air force offensive and defensive plan takes into account the situation you described; it is now being prepared.
(6) It is essential to educate the troops from the perspective of modern warfare, and to remember never to underestimate the enemy — your opinion is correct. Chai Junwu[2] can go in early or mid-September with a small number of people in the guise of embassy staff to conduct on-the-ground investigation of the combat situation. He should be instructed to send back the first batch of findings in mid or late September, which can then be used to educate the troops. As for assigning specialized personnel for research, please set this up under the Northeast Command[3] and the 13th Army Corps to carry out the work. Lin and Su[4] are both ill, and the two Xiaos[5] have work here; for the time being none can come. In a few months it may be possible; time is estimated to be available.
[1] Refers to the Korean People's Army.
[2] Chai Junwu, later renamed Chai Chengwen, at that time served as Political Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.
[3] Northeast Command, i.e. the Headquarters of the Northeast Military Region of the People's Liberation Army.
[4] Lin, i.e. Lin Biao, at that time First Secretary of the Central-South Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Commander of the Central-South Military Region of the PLA. Su, i.e. Su Yu, at that time Deputy Commander of the East China Military Region of the PLA; in July 1950 he was appointed Commander and Political Commissar of the Northeast Frontier Defense Forces of the PLA.
[5] The two Xiaos, i.e. Xiao Jinguang and Xiao Hua. Xiao Jinguang, at that time Commander of the PLA Navy, was appointed Deputy Commander of the Northeast Frontier Defense Forces in July 1950. Xiao Hua, at that time Deputy Director of the General Political Department of the Central People's Revolutionary Military Council, was appointed Deputy Political Commissar of the Northeast Frontier Defense Forces in July 1950.

(7) To provincial-level comrades, only speak of border defense; do not speak of other matters.
(8) The issue of industrial relocation is very significant. It is advisable to proceed from the standpoint of active air defense; mostly do not relocate, only relocate certain parts as appropriate.

Of the above items, several need concrete implementation; Vice Chairman Zhou will be responsible for resolving them.

With this reply, and wishing you good health!

Write to me at any time if there are matters.

Mao Zedong
September 3