Adopt an Active Policy to Build Long-Range Bomber Units[1]
(July 10, 1954)

Comrade Dehuai:
This document has been discussed by the Central Committee, and it is considered that an active policy should be adopted, dividing the construction of four divisions (120 aircraft) of long-range bomber units over four years. Regarding the foreign exchange aspect, it has been handed to Premier Zhou to conveniently discuss with the Soviet side the question of whether a loan is possible; a decision will be made after the results are obtained. Inquire[2]

Mao Zedong
July 10, 1954

[1] This is a letter from Mao Zedong to Peng Dehuai, Vice Chairman of the People's Revolutionary Military Commission of the Central People's Government.
[2] On July 16, 1954, a telegram revised and approved by Mao Zedong was sent to Zhou Enlai in the name of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China. The telegram pointed out: Regarding the issue of the Soviet side helping us build long-range bomber units, after you left Beijing, we gave it further consideration. If the Soviet side intends to give us Tu-4 bombers (piston-engine type), it would be better not to build them, because this type of aircraft is now obsolete, slow (maximum speed 558 km/h), and would be in an extremely disadvantageous position when encountering enemy jet fighters; we currently do not have escort fighters suitable for this type of aircraft (the Tu-4 bomber's operational radius is 2,500 km, while the MiG-15 fighter's operational radius is 230 to 260 km), making it still difficult to carry out long-range bombing missions. Moreover, the airfield facilities and routine maintenance for this type of aircraft are very costly; building one division would require, in addition to 150 million rubles in foreign exchange, domestic expenditures of 1 trillion yuan (old Renminbi). If what the Soviet side gives us is not the Tu-4, but a jet long-range bomber newer than the Il-28, or an aircraft equipped with both jet and piston engines, then we plan to first establish one division to train cadres, and consider establishing a second division later. Please inquire clearly with the Soviet side upon your return to Moscow before further negotiations.

Archival Photo
1954, Mao Zedong in Beijing.