To Cai Bo and Others
(January 8, 1946)
To young comrades Cai Bo, Zhang Zhiming, Liu Yongbin, Huang Ping, and Zhao
Xiaoyan:1
After Yongfu2 returned, he was very happy to receive your letter. Just as you
said in your letter, new China will need many scholars and technicians and your
efforts in this direction are most appropriate. I can only write a few lines to you
here, but in any case, I hope that every day will bring you growth and good health,
happiness, and progress. I also hope you will unite with all the young Chinese
friends who are studying in the Soviet Union. Study hard, all of you, and return to
serve your country in the future.
I tightly grasp your hands.
Mao Zedong
Our source for this text is Mao Zedong shuxin xuanji, pp. 265–66, where it is reproduced from Mao’s handwritten manuscript.
1.  Cai Bo (1924–1991, native of Hunan) was the son of Cai Hesen (1895–1931, native
of Hunan), who was the founder of the first central CPC newspaper The Guide and was
executed by the Guomindang in 1931; Zhang Zhiming (1927–2008, born in Changzhou,
Jiangsu) was the son of Zhang Tailei (1898–1927, born in Changzhou); Liu Yongbin (1925–
1967, native of Hunan) was the son of Liu Shaoqi; Huang Ping should be Yuri (Youli)
Huang Ping (1927–2010, native of Guangdong), the name used in the Soviet Union by the
son of Huang Ping (1901–1981, born in Hankou, Hubei); and Zhao Xiaoyan (1928–2017,
born in Youyang, Sichuan) was the son of Zhao Shiyan (1901–1947, native of Sichuan)
(uncle of former premier Li Peng).
2.  Yongfu was another name for Mao Zedong’s eldest son (with Yang Kaihui), Mao
Anying (1922–1950, native of Hunan).
DOI:  10.4324/9781315719511-90