China, Taiwan, and the Offshore Islands: Together with an Implication for Outer Mongolia and Sino-Soviet Relations

Excerpts from Mao Tse-tung ssu-hsiang wan-sui, Vol. II ( 1969)

The translation follows the characters of the original Chinese text fairly closely, and neither Mao nor the man who helped prepare the excerpts is responsible for the roughness. As the work of translation and analysis proceeded, the translator, a nonpolitical scholar versed in both Chinese and English literature, began to recognize that the material might have political implications and explicitly asked not to be acknowledged by name.--T.E.S.

We should take advantage of this period of cessation of hostilities to speed up the tempo and accomplish our main task. This is the thinking of the Eighth Party Congress. If we can accomplish our main task of the transitional period ahead of schedule, the matter of the battlefield will not be difficult. It is most advantageous to have things done quickly so that we shall be in a better position to attack Taiwan if we have to. But it will be difficult if we don't fulfill our tasks of construction. (p. 26)

We have always had an optimistic viewpoint about the international situation. Later it was summarized as " East Wind prevails over West Wind." (p. 231)

The Americans are now practicing "working hard on every front"; in our area they even include Quemoy, Matsu, and several isles like the Tans and Tung-ting [this is said with contempt]; I am pleased to look at them now, he is now content [this could be said with great sarcasm]. He has entered our noose,

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