The campaign began at night on 20 April, and lasted until 2 June 1949, concluding after the fall of Nanjing and Shanghai to the Communist forces, which eventually resulted in the exile of the Nationalists to the island of Taiwan.

On 21 January 1949, Chiang Kai-shek stepped down as the President of the Republic of China and was replaced by Li Zongren.

In the second plenary session of the 7th Congress, the Communist forces were renamed as the People's Liberation Army (PLA) as part of the reorganization efforts in preparation for the campaigns in south China.

[6] As Nanjing was now directly threatened, Chiang ordered a scorched earth policy as the Nationalist forces retreated toward Hangzhou and Shanghai.

[8] After the successful conclusion of the campaign, Chairman Mao wrote a poem that has since been set to music and remains popular throughout Mainland China.

Wind howls and rain falls upon the Bell Hills in twilight, A million gallant warriors shall cross the river tonight.

[9] Based on the exploits of the PLA officer Xiong Zhaoren and his unit,[10] it glorifies the Communists' victory in the campaign.