Annotation on Hu Qiaomu’s [1] Report on the Work Meeting on Translation
(July 13, 1951)

Comrade Qiaomu:
I agree with all your opinions. [2] However, since Comrade Jiaxiang [3], the proposed head of the committee, is unwilling to take on the role, it would be best for you to temporarily assume the position. Convene a meeting once a month, and we can consider assigning someone else in the future.

Mao Zedong
July 13

[1] Hu Qiaomu, then serving as Deputy Director of the Propaganda Department of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the General Administration of Press of the Central People’s Government.
[2] Refers to the opinions put forward in Hu Qiaomu’s report of July 10, 1951, to Mao Zedong and the Central Committee on the work meeting on Party translation. The report stated that the meeting discussed the translation of the *Complete Works of Stalin* and the Russian translation and revision of the *Selected Works of Mao Zedong*. Regarding the *Complete Works of Stalin*, three volumes had already been translated, and preparations were underway to complete the translation of all 16 volumes within five years. As for the Russian translation draft of the *Selected Works of Mao Zedong*, it was proposed that Comrades Wang Jiaxiang, Li Lisan, and Zhang Wentian undertake the revision. It was recommended that a Central Committee Translation Work Committee be formed, with Comrade Jiaxiang in charge. However, Comrade Jiaxiang repeatedly declined, and the matter was submitted for the Central Committee’s decision.
[3] Jiaxiang, i.e., Wang Jiaxiang, then serving as Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Central People’s Government. He wrote the following opinion on Hu Qiaomu’s report: “It would be more convenient for the work of the Translation Work Committee to be placed under the charge of a comrade from the Central Propaganda Department. I will participate as a committee member and take on a portion of the work assigned to me.”