Comrade Li Kenong, and inform Kim and Peng:[2]

Regarding the issue of changing the conference venue, after repeated consideration, we believe that for the time being we should still adopt your original proposition, reject this unreasonable demand of the enemy, and be prepared to drag things out with the enemy for a period. Because the enemy’s current policy is to drag things out; it is useless for us to be impatient when they are not. When the enemy truly wants to resolve the issue, then it will be possible to reach an agreement. Therefore, the drafted reply[3] can be kept simple. As for the handling of outstanding matters, neither cancel them nor raise them for now, and see how the enemy reacts. The draft reply is attached herewith and can be sent out on the morning of October 4. Beijing plans to broadcast it on the evening of the 4th and publish it in the newspapers on the 5th. Please have Pyongyang release it simultaneously.

Mao Zedong
October 3, 18:00 hours

--- Notes

[1] Li Kenong, then Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Central People’s Government.
[2] Kim refers to Kim Il Sung, Premier of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Peng refers to Peng Dehuai, Commander and Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteers.
[3] Refers to the reply drafted for Kim Il Sung and Peng Dehuai to General Ridgway regarding the issue of changing the conference venue.