Letter to Zhou Enlai et al.
(November 2, 1958)
Comrades Enlai, Chen Yi, and Ke Cheng III:
I propose that we launch a major bombardment on the third day tomorrow (an odd-numbered day), firing more than ten thousand shells at all military targets. This would influence the U.S. election, help the Democratic Party win, and defeat the Republican Party. At the same time, it would provide Chiang Kai-shek’s forces with an excuse to refuse to withdraw their troops. Please consider whether this is advisable and make a decision accordingly.
Mao Zedong
5:00 A.M., November 2, in Zhengzhou
Chuan
Chen Yi was then Vice Premier of the State Council and Minister of Foreign Affairs. Ke Cheng refers to Huang Kecheng, who at that time served as Secretary-General of the Central Military Commission of the CPC, Vice Minister of National Defense, and Chief of the General Staff of the People’s Liberation Army.