--- Notes



Comments on the Soviet Request to Establish a Special Long-Wave Radio Station in Our Country (June 7, 1958)

To Liu, Lin Biao, Deng Xiaoping, Zhou Enlai, Zhu De, Chen Yun, Peng Zhen, and Chen Yi [1]: Please review and return to Comrade Peng Dehuai [2]. — It may be handled as proposed [3]. The funds must be provided by China; they cannot come from the Soviet side. Use shall be shared. Mao Zedong, June 7.

If the Soviet side resorts to high-pressure tactics, do not respond immediately; let some time pass before replying. Alternatively, the Central Committee could hold talks first and then give a reply. This matter should be formalized by an agreement signed between the two governments. In the section concerning the talks, there are comments marked by Mao [4]; please pay attention to them, Peng. Printed according to the manuscript.

II. The investment for this radio center should be borne by the Chinese side; China has an inescapable responsibility in this regard. As for technical aspects such as construction and equipment, we request assistance from our Soviet comrades, and all necessary equipment shall be priced and paid for by us. Upon completion, it can be used jointly, and a formal agreement should be concluded by the governments of both countries. This is China’s position, not my personal view. Printed according to Mao Zedong’s revised text.

Notes [1] Liu refers to Liu Shaoqi. Lin Biao was then Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council. Deng Xiaoping was then General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council. Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai. Zhu refers to Zhu De. Chen refers to Chen Yun, who at that time held the posts of Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council. Peng Zhen was then a Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. Chen Yi was then a member of the CPC Central Political Bureau, Vice Premier of the State Council, and Minister of Foreign Affairs.

[2] Peng Dehuai was then a member of the CPC Central Political Bureau, Vice Premier of the State Council, and Minister of National Defense.

[3] In his report of June 5, 1958, addressed to Mao Zedong and the Central Committee, Peng Dehuai stated that regarding the Soviet request to establish a special long-wave radio station in China, the Soviet side continued to insist on its original proposal for joint investment and construction, and had suggested dispatching experts to China in early June to carry out site selection, surveying and design work, and drafting the relevant agreement. It appeared that the Soviet side would not readily accept our views. In order not to impede the progress of the surveying and design work, it might be advisable to initially agree to allow the Soviet experts to come to China to begin certain technical tasks, while issues related to investment and usage could be resolved at a later stage.

[4] Refers to a passage modified by Mao Zedong in the record of his conversation with the Soviet military chief advisor, Dulufanov, on June 4, 1958, as mentioned in Document (II). The portions printed in Song typeface represent additions and revisions made by Mao. 2£¶