It should be exposed [1]
(May 12, 1954)
To Comrades Li Xiangchao and Ding Guozheng, with notification to Premier Kim [2], the Chinese People’s Volunteer Army Headquarters [3], and Premier Zhou:
We have received your telegram of 11:00 a.m. on May 11. The other side, through the mediation of the Swedish and Swiss members [4], has proposed amending the Armistice Agreement and substituting three of our designated ports of entry. We judge that, apart from the usual purpose of slandering our side and defending the U.S. position, their real intention is to create a pretext for further undermining the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission [5] and to shift the blame onto us. This has been the central focus of U.S. activities in recent times. Therefore, we should raise high the banner of upholding the Armistice Agreement and the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission, exposing both inside and outside the Commission the U.S. attempts to sabotage these institutions. At the same time, we should coordinate our actions with the Polish and Czechoslovak members [6]. Before the Swedish and Swiss members openly attack us, we should refrain from making public criticisms; instead, let the Polish and Czechoslovak representatives engage them in debate.


In line with this policy, we should take the initiative to convene a meeting of the Military Armistice Commission [7] to counter Poland and Czechoslovakia’s report concerning the U.S. shipment of reinforcement materials and to lodge a strong protest. Should the U.S. side, citing the Swedish and Swiss proposal, demand amendments to the Armistice Agreement, we should deliver a conclusive statement denouncing such moves and pointing out that raising this issue during the Geneva Conference is an intentional attempt to heighten tensions and interfere with the proceedings. If they do not bring up the matter, we need not raise it either; rather, the Polish and Czechoslovak representatives should submit a statement to the Military Armistice Commission criticizing the letter from the Swedish and Swiss members, and, depending on the circumstances, seek to have this statement made public. Meanwhile, our correspondents could prepare a commentary reporting on the letter from the Swedish and Swiss members—though the tone must remain calm and reasoned, avoiding any abusive language.


As for our reply to the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission regarding the letter from the Swedish and Swiss members, we may delay its dispatch for the time being.


Mao Zedong
May 12, 1954