Peng Ji
(August 23, 1952)
Three hundred thousand sets of winter clothing may be given as a gift.
Mao Zedong
August 23rd
[1]
In August 1952, the government of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea reported that 600,000 people in North Korea were currently without winter clothing and requested China’s assistance to address at least half of this need. Hong Xuezhi, Deputy Commander of the Chinese People’s Volunteers, informed Peng Dehuai twice—on August 18 and August 22—of the North Korean request via telegram. After reviewing Hong Xuezhi’s telegram of August 22, Mao Zedong wrote this note.
On August 28, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs drafted a telegram in Zhou Enlai’s name to Gan Yetao, China’s Chargé d’Affaires in North Korea, responding to the North Korean request. While reviewing the draft, Mao Zedong added the following: “Please inform the North Korean government that these three hundred thousand sets of cotton-padded clothes are being provided as a gift; no payment is required, nor should they be recorded in any accounts.”
[2]
“Peng” refers to Peng Dehuai, who at the time served as Vice Chairman of the People’s Revolutionary Military Commission and Commander and Political Commissar of the Chinese People’s Volunteers.