On October 6, 1958, PRC Minister of National Defense Peng Dehuai offers to negotiate a peaceful settlement, and announces the suspension of bombardment for a week. On October 21, Secretary of State Dulles travels to Taiwan to reaffirm U.S.-ROC solidarity. The joint communiqué they sign on October 23 states that the KMT will not attempt to retake the mainland by military means, but instead will focus on a political resolution.