(July 18, 1952)
Comrades Liu, Zhu, Zhou, Chen, Peng, Nie, and Su:
I have reviewed the military five-year plan drafted by Comrades Nie and Su, together with its annexes. I broadly concur and approve that it be implemented as proposed, with Comrade Peng taking charge. A copy of this document has already been forwarded to Comrade Zhou’s office; I am now sending my own copy to Comrades Liu, Zhu, Chen, and Lin for their review.
Please return it to Mao after reading.
Mao Zedong
July 18

[1]
Liu refers to Liu Shaoqi. Zhu refers to Zhu De. Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai. Chen refers to Chen Yun, who at the time served as a Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat, Vice Premier of the State Council, and Director of the State Planning Commission. Peng refers to Peng Dehuai, then Vice Chairman of the People’s Revolutionary Military Commission. Nie refers to Nie Rongzhen, who was acting Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. Su refers to Su Yu, then Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army.

[2]
Lin refers to Lin Biao, who at the time was Vice Chairman of the People’s Revolutionary Military Commission.