Mao's plan, according to Mr. Gromyko, anticipated an American attack on China as a result of mounting tensions over the islands of Quemoy and Matsu. The islands, held by the Nationalist Government in Taiwan, became the center of an international crisis in September 1958 when they came under artillery bombardment from China.

Telling Mr. Gromyko that he intended to act according to the principle of ''blade against blade,'' Mao said Chinese forces would retreat to the interior of China, drawing American forces after them.

Once American forces were deep within Chinese territory, Mao proposed that ''the Soviet Union should catch them with all its means,'' Mr. Gromyko reports.

http://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/22/world/gromyko-says-mao-wanted-soviet-a-bomb-used-on-gi-s.html?n=Top%2FNews%2FScience%2FTopics%2FAtomic%20Weapons