Telegram to Wang Zhen[1] and Letter in Reply to Tsedan Pontso and Tashi Tsering[2]
(December 30, 1950)

I

To Commander Wang Zhen:

Please have the letter in reply to Tsedan Pontso and Tashi Tsering forwarded via the frontline troops. Please inform the frontline troops to widely disseminate and publicize the Proclamation on Entry into Tibet[3] jointly issued by the Southwest Military and Political Committee and the Southwest Military Area Command (Xinhua News Agency, Chongqing dispatch, November 10).

Mao Zedong
December 30

II

To Messrs. Tsedan Pontso and Tashi Tsering:

Your letter has been received. I am very pleased to know that you have become friends with the People's Liberation Army that has arrived in your area.

The purpose of the People's Liberation Army's entry into Tibet is to help the Tibetan people free themselves from the oppression of foreign imperialism and the Chiang Kai-shek reactionaries. Therefore, all People's Liberation Army units entering Tibet have become friends with the Tibetan people everywhere.

The methods of the Central People's Government and the People's Liberation Army in dealing with people of all circles in Tibet have been stated in great detail in the joint proclamation of the Southwest Military and Political Committee and the Southwest Military Area Command. The frontline troops have now been ordered to provide you with a copy of this proclamation. It is hoped that you will use various methods to disseminate it and send many copies to the Lhasa area. If you have any opinions on this proclamation, please let me know.

Of the five requests[4] you have put forward, the second has already been made clear in the proclamation.

Regarding the first and third, I completely agree that you two Bangpos[] should conduct peace talks with the local Liberation Army officers. As for high-ranking Tibetan officials, if they wish to conduct peace talks, they may also convey their intention for talks to me through the local Liberation Army officers.

Regarding the fourth, the People's Liberation Army troops entering Tibet are all supplied by the Central People's Government and will in no way disturb the common people. If all Tibetan officials cooperate with the Liberation Army as you do, then fewer troops can be sent in.

Regarding the fifth, as for the movements of the People's Liberation Army officers and soldiers, as long as it does not impede military secrets, you can be notified in advance. This matter can be handled through consultation between the local military officers and you.

I thank you for your letter and send my greetings to you and the people of the two Bangpos.

Mao Zedong
December 30

*Published based on the collated original manuscript.*

Notes

--- Notes

[1] Wang Zhen was at that time the acting commander and acting political commissar of the Xinjiang Military Area of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.
[2] Tsedan Pontso and Tashi Tsering were at that time representatives of the local government of the Ngari region of Tibet.
[3] Refers to the proclamation jointly issued by the Southwest Military and Political Committee and the Command of the Southwest Military Area of the Chinese People's Liberation Army to the Tibetan people and the troops marching into Tibet for the correct implementation of the Central People's Government's policies concerning the peaceful liberation of Tibet. This proclamation was published in the *People's Daily* on November 11, 1950.
[4] Refers to the five requests put forward by officials of the Ngari region of Tibet to the officers of the Chinese People's Liberation Army troops marching into Tibet, as mentioned in the letter from Tsedan Pontso and Tashi Tsering to Mao Zedong on October 10, 1950: 1. The Tibetan people want to be the common people of the Central People's Government, and the high-ranking Tibetan officials and the two officials of the Ngari region request peace talks; 2. No blame should be placed on the high-ranking officials of the Dalai Lama of Tibet, and Tibet's religion and customs should be guaranteed politically; 3. The authorities of the Ngari region hope to have peace talks with the People's Liberation Army and must not let war break out, so that the common people may enjoy peace; 4. Tibet is a small place, and it is requested that a large number of Liberation Army troops not be allowed to enter Tibet; 5. If Liberation Army officers and soldiers are to go to other places, the local officials should be notified in advance.
[] Bangpo, transliteration of the Tibetan word for "official."