Telegram to Tan Zheng [1] Approving the Guidelines for Military Training of Troops in South China (May 23, 1951) Comrade Tan Zheng: Your telegram of May 17 has been received. (1) The guidelines [2] for military training of troops in South China are correct. (2) It is hoped that you will again visit Guangzhou in the autumn to inspect the work of the various armies as well as coastal defense efforts.
When you go, it would be advisable to bring along one or two senior cadres who have combat experience in Korea to deliver reports to the cadres, thereby enhancing both military training and political work.
Mao Zedong May 23 Printed from the manuscript.
Notes [1] Tan Zheng was at that time the Third Political Commissar of the Central-South Military Region of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. [2] Refers to the guidelines for military training of troops in South China proposed by Tan Zheng in his report to Mao Zedong on May 17, 1951.
The report stated that, given that our current training is strategic in nature, we must be mentally prepared; that is, while the enemy has not yet arrived, we should concentrate our time to swiftly master the essential subjects so as to be fully prepared.
Therefore, it is inappropriate to follow the peacetime method of teaching step by step.
The plan formulated by the PLA General Staff Training Department contains too much content and stipulates that no changes can be made.
If implemented as written, it would be difficult to concentrate time effectively, and important subjects would not receive sufficient instruction, easily leading to formalism.
In light of the Volunteer Army’s combat experience in Korea, it is necessary to emphasize certain aspects in our army’s technical and tactical training, rather than adhering strictly to routine schedules and drill manuals.