Comments on the Notification Regarding the 126th Regiment’s Experience in Crossing the Jinsha River Through Tears [I]
(August 6, 1964)
Comrade Ruiqing 121:
I have read this document; it is very good. Could it be that, in all areas where conditions permit, the majority of personnel in the armed forces could undertake swimming training? Has the Military Commission already issued relevant instructions? I?
Mao Zedong
August 6
1. Foster a bold and ambitious spirit—daring to overcome rivers and seas and courageously undergoing rigorous training—fully grasp the psychological principles and their changes under different circumstances, mobilize the masses, and conduct thorough ideological work.
2. Based on the actual physical condition of the troops, implement a step-by-step approach.
3. Give priority to leading examples, set up model units, and use these examples to drive wider implementation.
4. Rely on core personnel to organize widespread “senior soldiers mentoring junior soldiers” activities, thereby stimulating everyone’s enthusiasm for waterborne training.
5. Maintain strict organization and ensure effective implementation of measures, with particular emphasis on officers demonstrating a high sense of political responsibility.
Conditions may not always be suitable, mainly due to: (1) rivers and ponds infested with schistosomiasis and other hazards; (2) river sections with strong whirlpools; (3) marine areas plagued by poaching. Moreover, there will always be a certain proportion of troops who are not fit to swim; therefore, no one should be forced to enter the water against their will.

--- Notes

[I] These comments were written on a telegram transmitted by the Kunming Military Region Command on July 27, 1964, forwarding to the General Staff Department a notification from the 14th Army concerning the 126th Regiment’s experience in crossing the Jinsha River through tears. The notification summarized the key lessons learned from this episode, primarily as follows:

[2] Ruiqing refers to Luo Ruiqing, who at that time served as a member of the Standing Committee and Secretary-General of the CPC Central Military Commission, as well as Chief of the General Staff of the People’s Liberation Army.
[3] Following Mao Zedong’s instructions, the PLA General Staff subsequently issued two documents: “Rapidly Launch Swimming Training Throughout the Entire Military” and “Firmly Implement Chairman Mao’s Instructions and Further Improve Swimming Training.”