The Principle of On Just Grounds, To Our Advantage, and With Restraint
(April 11, 1952)
To the Xizang Work Committee, and to be passed on to the Southwest Bureau:
Today, just after sending the reply to your telegram of April 8 [1], we received your telegram of 9 p.m. on April 10 [2], and were very pleased. Your policy and steps are correct. This is a policy and these are steps that are on just grounds, to our advantage, and with restraint. We hope you will resolutely and calmly put them into practice.
The Central Committee
April 11

[1]

The reply of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China to the April 8 telegram of the Xizang Work Committee was later not sent out due to a change in the situation.
[2]
Refers to the report from the CPC Xizang Work Committee at 9 p.m. on April 10, 1952, to the Central Committee and the Southwest Bureau concerning the plan to deal with the reactionary elements in Lhasa. The report stated that the specific arrangements for handling the Lhasa disturbance incident were: (1) It is resolved that it will take the form of a political struggle, openly proposing to the Dalai the dismissal of the two Sicao from their posts, and insisting on the realization of the four points we proposed on April 1. It is estimated that the following three situations may arise from doing so: First, the Dalai and the Gaxag may smoothly agree to the dismissal. Second, the two Sicao may make a desperate gamble and launch military resistance, in which case we will give a resolute military counter-attack, and under the principle of on just grounds, to our advantage, and with restraint, strive to achieve military and political victory. Third, the two Sicao may hide in the Budala Palace, manipulate the Dalai, stall for time, bargain with us, or conspire to continue organizing forces to resist. In that case, we will get ahold of the Gaxag and request that the Dalai quickly issue an order to resolve the matter, dismissing and investigating them. (2) Specific work: 1. On the 11th, convene a meeting of the Khenpos of the three great monasteries, and on the grounds of the chaotic public security in Lhasa, resolutely demand that they stop the “Lesser Prayer” ceremony starting on April 14, changing it to be held by each monastery on its own. We will then go to each monastery separately to give alms and carry out appropriate propaganda work. On the other hand, we will notify the Gaxag to have it on record. 2. On the 13th, Zhang Jingwu, in the name of the Central Representative, will deliver the decision demanding the dismissal in writing to the Dalai, requesting that the order be announced and a proclamation be issued before noon on the 14th. 3. Convene a meeting of the Gaxag to explain the Central Committee's policy and attitude, and separately work to win over the monastic and lay aristocrats and the Tibetan peace negotiation representatives. On the same day, convene a meeting of aristocratic military officers to explain the policy. 4. Military deployments to be fully prepared before the 12th.