(July 24, 1954)
Comrades Dehuai and Kecheng (I):
Please consider whether it is necessary to summon one leading comrade each from the East China Military Region, as well as from the Fujian, Zhejiang, and Shanghai Military Regions, to Beijing to discuss this matter. The thirty-day preparation period mentioned in this telegram (2) is essential; if required, it may be extended to forty days.
Mao Zedong
July 24th
[1]
Dehuai refers to Peng Dehuai, who at that time served as Vice Chairman of the People’s Revolutionary Military Commission. Kecheng refers to Huang Kecheng, who was then Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army and Director of the General Logistics Department.
[2]
This refers to a telegram dated July 21, 1954, from the East China Naval Command to the Naval Command outlining a plan to attack enemy warships in Dachen Port. The plan proposed a joint strike by the air force and surface vessels, combined with independent strikes by single-service units and mine-laying operations. It also stated that three to four weeks of preparation would be needed to ensure effective coordination for the joint operation.