Telegram to Li Kenong [1] Regarding Approval of the Method for Dealing with the Enemy’s Delaying Tactics in Negotiations (December 28, 1951) Comrade Li Kenong, with notification to Kim and Peng [2]: We have received your telegram of 1:00 a.m. on December 28 [3], the two group briefing reports [4], and the accompanying documents. We concur with all points raised in your telegram. Moreover, we should not fear delay; we must be prepared for the possibility that the issue will remain unresolved for a considerably longer period. As long as we are not afraid of delay and do not act hastily, the enemy will have no means to achieve its aims. Mao Zedong 3:30 a.m., December 28 Printed according to the revised version.

Notes [1] Li Kenong was 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] This refers to Li Kenong’s telegram dated December 28, 1951, at 1:00 a.m., informing Mao Zedong, Kim Il-sung, and Peng Dehuai about the progress of the subcommittee talks under Agenda Item 3 (airport construction) and Agenda Item 4 (exchange of prisoners of war). The telegram stated our plan as follows: (1) With respect to Sub-committee 3, if the other side continues its delaying tactics and refuses to discuss any issues at all, we will likewise remain unperturbed. Should they propose adjourning the session, we will agree, thereby demonstrating that we are unafraid of delay. (2) As for Sub-committee 4, we will continue to confront them over the question of 44,000 prisoners of war on our side versus their claimed more than 50,000 prisoners of war. Regarding their responses concerning the whereabouts of foreign prisoners—first provided and subsequently supplemented—we believe there is no need to rush to relay this information back to them. [4] These refer to the briefing reports from the Sub-committee on Agenda Item 3 and the Sub-committee on Agenda Item 4, sent by Li Kenong on December 27, 1951. At that time, discussions under Agenda Item 3 of the Korean Armistice Talks had already lasted thirty days, while those under Agenda Item 4 had been ongoing for over half a month; however, due to the U.S. side’s delaying tactics, no agreement had yet been reached.