Peking Peace Talks

In early 1949, the Chinese Communist Party won complete victories in the three major battles of Liaoshen, Huaihai, and Pingjin. The Kuomintang's control of the situation in Northeast and North China was completely defeated. On January 21, President Chiang Kai-shek announced his resignation, and Vice President Li Zongren acted as president. After Li Zongren became acting president, he tried to negotiate a truce with the CCP. The National Government peace talks delegation was headed by Zhang Zhizhong, and other members included Shao Lizi, Huang Shaohong, Liu Fei, Zhang Shizhao, and Li Zheng; for the Chinese Communist Party, Zhou Enlai was the head of the delegation, and other members included Lin Boqu, Lin Biao, Ye Jianying, Li Weihan, and Nie Rongzhen. On April 1, the Nationalist Government peace talks delegation arrived at Peking Nanyuan Airport by plane. Qi Yanming, Secretary-General of the Chinese Communist Party delegation, picked them up at the airport, and then the delegation arrived at the Liuguo Hotel. At 6 p.m., Zhou Enlai led the CCP delegation to hold talks with Zhang Zhizhong. After more than ten days of negotiations, the Kuomintang and the Communist Party drafted the "Domestic Peace Agreement (Final Amendment)" and agreed to sign it on April 20. The Nanjing authorities issued a broadcast on the 19th, stating that they could not fully agree to the peace agreement and that it was difficult for the People's Liberation Army to cross the river. As a result, the peace talks between the Kuomintang and the Communist Party collapsed. Mao Zedong and Zhu De issued the "Order to March Nationwide." The People's Liberation Army crossed the Yangtze River and launched a cross-river campaign, occupying large cities such as Nanjing and Shanghai in one fell swoop, and then marched towards