Letter to Liu Shaoqi Regarding the Note to Britain [1] and Revisions to the Draft Note
(July 25, 1954)

Comrade Shaoqi:
Please convene Chen, Peng, Deng, and Zhang Hanfu for a discussion at your place concerning these two documents, in order to assess whether their wording is appropriate. I have made some revisions to both; please give them further careful consideration. The original second paragraph of the note to Britain was extremely inappropriate in its phrasing, so I have revised it.
Mao Zedong
July 25

It would be advisable to submit the note to Britain on the 26th and to broadcast it on the 27th, with publication in the newspaper also scheduled for the 27th.
According to reports received by our military authorities from Hainan Island: on the morning of July 23, while patrol aircraft of the People’s Republic of China were conducting reconnaissance duties over Yulin Port on Hainan Island,

they encountered a Nationalist bandit aircraft above that area and engaged in combat. Upon receiving this information, the Government of the People’s Republic of China immediately launched a comprehensive investigation and subsequently determined that the aircraft in question was, in fact, a British-owned transport plane. Our patrol aircraft had mistakenly identified it as a Nationalist bandit aircraft attempting to attack our Yulin Port military base. This unfortunate incident occurred purely by accident.

--- Notes

[!] Refers to the note dated July 26, 1954, from Zhang Hanfu, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, in reply to the British Chargé d’Affaires, Mr. Du Weilian. The British Chargé d’Affaires had lodged a note regarding the attack on a British transport plane on July 23. In his reply, Zhang Hanfu pointed out that this British transport plane had been mistaken by our patrol aircraft for a Nationalist military aircraft attacking our Yulin Port military base and was consequently attacked. He emphasized that this unfortunate incident was entirely accidental. The Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China expressed its regret over the matter and is taking appropriate measures to address it. It also conveyed sympathy, concern, and condolences to those who were injured or killed in the incident and to their families. Furthermore, it indicated its willingness to consider providing suitable relief payments and compensation for any loss of life or property. After being reviewed and amended by Mao Zedong, this note was issued and published in the People’s Daily on July 27, 1954.
[2]
Chen refers to Chen Yun, who at that time served as a Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council.
Peng refers to
Peng Dehuai, who at that time held the post of Vice Chairman of the People’s Revolutionary Military Commission. Deng refers to Deng Xiaoping, who at that time was Secretary-General of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council.
[3]
Mao Zedong’s revisions to the original second paragraph of the note to Britain can be found in the second part of this document.