Letter to Peng Dehuai and Huang Kecheng〔1〕 on Determining the Timing for Attacking Kinmen (July 27, 1958) Comrades Dehuai and Kecheng: I could not sleep and have been thinking it over. It seems more advisable to suspend the attack on Kinmen for a few days. Let us hold off for now and observe the situation. If the other side rotates its troops, we shall not strike; nor shall we act if they do not rotate. We will wait until they launch an unreasonable offensive before launching our counterattack. The Middle East issue will take time to resolve, and we have time at our disposal—why rush? Although we are not striking for the moment, there will surely come a day when we do. Should the other side attack Zhangzhou, Shantou, Fuzhou, or Hangzhou, that would be most opportune. What do you think of this plan? Might we convene a few comrades to discuss it? Putting politics first and carefully deliberating through repeated consideration is extremely beneficial. To press ahead with a single burst of energy often leads to insufficiently thorough thinking—this has frequently been my own experience—and sometimes results in miscalculation. What is your view? If they do attack, let us wait a few days, think it through clearly, and then launch our own offensive. In light of all the above, might we say that we are thus able to strategize within the tent while controlling the outcome thousands of miles away, ensuring victory in any engagement with greater certainty? The principle of not fighting battles without a clear chance of success must be upheld. If you agree, please transmit this letter by telegraph to Ye Fei〔2〕, instructing him to consider it very carefully and report back his views. Good morning! Mao Zedong 10:00 A.M., July 27 Based on the manuscript. Included in Selected Military Works of Mao Zedong (Internal Edition).

Notes 〔1〕 Peng Dehuai was then a member of the CPC Central Military Commission, Vice Premier of the State Council, and Minister of National Defense, overseeing the daily work of the Commission. Huang Kecheng was then Secretary-General of the CPC Central Military Commission and Vice Minister of National Defense. 〔2〕 Ye Fei was then Secretary of the Fujian Provincial Committee of the CPC and Political Commissar of the Fuzhou Military Region of the People’s Liberation Army.