Commentary on Su Yu’s Request to Deploy Troops to a Newly Constructed Airport in Fujian [1] (May 19, 1955)  Return to He [2]; Su, carry out as proposed. — Please carefully study Premier Zhou’s comments [3].  Mao Zedong, May 19, printed from the manuscript.

Notes  [1] This commentary was written on a report submitted on May 12, 1955, by Su Yu, Chief of the General Staff of the People’s Liberation Army, to the Central Military Commission of the CPC. The report stated that a newly constructed airport in Fujian would be completed by the end of June. In order to support diplomatic efforts, safeguard the safety of coastal shipping routes between Zhejiang and Fujian, prevent and counter enemy air raids against major coastal cities in Fujian, and create conditions for the liberation of Kinmen and Matsu, troops should be deployed to the base immediately upon its completion.  [2] He refers to He Long, who at the time was a member of the Central Military Commission of the CPC and Vice Premier of the State Council.  [3] On Su Yu’s report, Zhou Enlai wrote the following remarks: “All points are sound; only in implementing the fourth point should attention be paid to the timing and favorable conditions.” “Even after destroying the enemy’s radar, they can still set up new systems. Therefore, joint air–artillery operations must be conducted only when we have relatively high confidence in our chances of success; otherwise, we risk suffering excessive losses.” The fourth item in Su Yu’s report concerned the disposition of enemy radar installations on Matsu.