(July 2, 1964)
I have watched the performances by the crack units of the Beijing Military Region and the Jinan Military Region. They were very good. They must be popularized throughout the army; having crack units alone is not enough. The popularization must be arranged very quickly, and we must pay close attention to this work.

The troops must learn swimming; all units must learn it. There is a law to learning swimming; once you grasp the law, it becomes easy to learn. Whole battalions and whole regiments must learn to swim in full gear. Each division should first set up one regiment, each regiment first set up one battalion, and each battalion first set up one company to do this. Then popularize it, so that everyone can do it.

The troops must train in night fighting and close combat, train in the 200-meter hard skill, and each regiment must cultivate a "night tiger" company.

Every province must set up arsenals. First engage in repair, then engage in manufacture. They must produce their own rifles, submachine guns, light and heavy machine guns, mortars, bullets, and explosives. When trouble arises, we cannot rely entirely on the Central Committee and the Military Commission; each province must prepare to manage its own affairs. Some say that if the enemy does not come, these things will not be used—isn't that a waste?[1]

That is incorrect. We absolutely must do it. If we are prepared, the enemy may not come; if we are not well prepared, the enemy may come. When the enemy comes, they will inevitably smash some pots and pans. It is not a waste. Even if the enemy does not come, it is not a waste. If you say it is a waste, then let it be a waste; the waste is not regrettable. We absolutely must do it. Of course, when I say each province should set up an arsenal, it does not necessarily mean every single province must set up one individually. For example, Qinghai could jointly set up one with Gansu, Ningxia could jointly set up one with Inner Mongolia or Shaanxi. Provinces like Hebei, Sichuan, and Yunnan—each of these provinces must set up one.

We must properly organize local armed forces. The militia must achieve the "Three Implementations"[1]; we cannot place all our hopes on the Military Commission.

With so many people in Beijing, we must be even more prepared. Comrade Peng Zhen[2] is asked to consider this issue.

The Beijing subway must be built; build it under the city walls. The city walls must no longer be demolished.

Prepare everything well. Once prepared, it will be easier to handle if the enemy comes. It would also be good to fight one more battle with them while we are still here.

[1] Refers to the requirement that militia work must achieve organizational implementation, political implementation, and military implementation.
[2] Peng Zhen, then serving as Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, First Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee, and Mayor of Beijing.