Agreement with the position of the memorandum, i.e. readiness to hold diplomatic
negotiations.


[1] On 22 March 1969, Zhou Enlai wrote a report to Mao Zedong and others stating that,
starting from the evening of the 21st, the Soviet side had repeatedly inquired about the
Chairman's telephone number, and the Soviet Embassy in China had also contacted our
Ministry of Foreign Affairs several times, claiming to be ‘acting on the orders of the
Chairman of the Soviet Council of Ministers, with a message to convey.’ Meanwhile, our side
observed Soviet troops moving near Zhenbao Island and detected that the Soviet rear was
urging their frontline units to act, estimating that the enemy might attempt to forcibly
occupy Zhenbao Island today, with last night's diplomatic activities being a mere pretence.
After consulting with relevant comrades, it was decided to immediately "reinforce our shore-based forces, make extensive deployments, rest and wait for the enemy to tire, and prepare
to strike back." It was also agreed to respond to the Soviet temporary envoy in the form of a
memorandum to take the initiative. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' memorandum stated:
"Given the current state of Sino-Soviet relations, communication via telephone is no longer
appropriate. If the Soviet government has any messages to convey, please formally submit
them to the Chinese government through diplomatic channels." Mao Zedong's comment
was written on Zhou Enlai's report.