Approval Note on the Report on Establishing a Chemical Corps School [1]

(December 11, 1950)

Agreed. Proceed as proposed by Zhou.[2]

Mao Zedong
December 11

[1] This is Mao Zedong's note of approval on the report dated November 2, 1950, by Xiao Ke, Director of the Military Training Department of the General Staff of the People's Revolutionary Military Commission of the Central People's Government.
[2] This refers to the opinion noted by Zhou Enlai on December 2, 1950, on Xiao Ke's report. Xiao Ke's report stated: In operations against the aggressive bloc led by U.S. imperialism, there is a constant possibility of enemy gas attacks, yet our forces currently have almost no mental or material preparedness in this regard. Therefore, a chemical corps school must be established immediately. Priority should be given to training anti-gas personnel and studying chemical tactics, followed by further strengthening the organization and equipment of the chemical corps. The report also proposed specific suggestions for the school's establishment. Zhou Enlai noted on Xiao Ke's report: Approval in principle is proposed. The number of personnel in the first year may be slightly reduced, set at 800, with 200 drawn from students of the Southward Work Regiment who joined the army last year from the various greater military regions, and 600 recruited from volunteer students.