ORDER TO ORGANIZE THE CHINESE PEOPLE'S VOLUNTEERS (October 8,1950)

To Peng, Gao, He, Deng, Hong, Xie and other leading comrades of the Chinese People's Volunteers at all levels:

1. In order to assist the Korean people's war of liberation against the attacks of US imperialism and its running dogs, thereby safeguarding the interests of the people of Korea, China and the other countries in the East, I hereby order to change the Northeastern Border Defense Army into the Chinese People's Volunteers, march speedily to Korea and join the Korean comrades in fighting the aggressors and winning a glorious victory.

2. The Chinese People's Volunteers will have under its command the 13th Army with its subordinate 38th, 39th, 40th and 42nd Corps, and the Frontier Defense Artillery Headquarters with its subordinate lst, 2nd and 8th Divisions. The above units must complete their preparations promptly and await orders to set off.

3. Comrade peng Dehuai is appointed Commander and concurrently Political Commissar of the Chinese People's Volunteers.

4. The Chinese People's Volunteers will have the Northeast Administrative Area as their general rear base, and all rear work, supplies and matters in connection with assistance to Korean comrades are to be under the management and direction of, and to be guaranteed by, Comrade Gao Gang, Commander and concurrently Political Commissar of the Northeast Military Area.

5. While in Korea, the Chinese People's Volunteers must show fraternal love and respect for the people, the People's Army, the Democratic Government, the Workers'(Communist) Party and the other democratic parties of Korea and for Comrade Kim Il Sung, the leader of the Korean people, and strictly observe military and political discipline. This is a most important political basis for ensuring the fulfilment of your military task.

6. You must fully anticipate various possible and inevitable difficulties and be prepared to overcome them with great enthusiasm, courage, care and stamina. At present, the general international and domestic situation is favorable to us, not to the aggressors. So long as you comrades are firm and brave and are good at uniting with the local people and at fighting the aggressors, final victory will be ours.

Mao Zedong

Chairman of the Chinese People's

Revolutionary Military Commission

October 8,1950,Beijing

(From the manuscript revised by Mao Zedong)