Comments on the Issues of Leadership Responsibility and Leadership Methods (January 13, 1953) Comrades Liu, Zhou, Zhu, Chen, Gao, Peng, Deng, Deng, Elder Dong, Elder Lin, Xi, Peng Zhen, Bo Yi, An Ziwen, Chen Boda, Hu Qiaomu, and Yang Shangkun [1]: Regarding the issues of leadership responsibility and leadership methods—specifically, whether leadership should be centralized or decentralized—this problem has been quite acute in Shandong and appears to have been resolved in Xiang Ming’s report [2]. However, this issue is not confined to Shandong; it exists throughout the country and even at the central level. At previous central meetings, I have raised this matter several times. Please take a look at Xiang Ming’s report. The Central Committee’s directive of January 5 [3] is enclosed for your review; please have Comrades Shaoqi and Zihui read it as well. Issued on January 13 by Mao Zedong, based on the manuscript. Notes [1] Liu refers to Liu Shaoqi. Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai. Zhu refers to Zhu De. Chen refers to Chen Yun, who at that time served as Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, Vice Premier of the Government Administration Council, and Director of the Financial and Economic Commission. Gao refers to Gao Gang, then Chairman of the State Planning Commission of the Central People’s Government. Peng…

refers to Peng Dehuai, who at that time was Vice Chairman of the People’s Revolutionary Military Commission. Deng refers to Deng Xiaoping, then Vice Premier of the Government Administration Council. Another Deng refers to Deng Zihui, who at that time was Minister of the CPC Central Committee’s Department of Rural Work and Deputy Director of the Government Administration Council’s Financial and Economic Commission. Elder Dong refers to Dong Biwu, who at that time was Vice Premier of the Government Administration Council and Director of the Political and Legal Commission. Elder Lin refers to Lin Boqu, then Secretary-General of the Central People’s Government. Xi refers to Xi Zhongxun, who at that time was Minister of the CPC Central Committee’s Propaganda Department and Deputy Director of the Government Administration Council’s Cultural and Educational Commission. Peng Zhen was then an alternate member of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat and Deputy Director of the Government Administration Council’s Political and Legal Commission. Bo Yi is Bo Yibo, who at that time was Deputy Director of the Government Administration Council’s Financial and Economic Commission. An Ziwen was then Deputy Minister of the CPC Central Committee’s Organization Department. Chen Boda was then Deputy Minister of the CPC Central Committee’s Propaganda Department. Hu Qiaomu was then Deputy Minister of the CPC Central Committee’s Propaganda Department and Mao Zedong’s secretary. Yang Shangkun was then Director of the CPC Central Committee Office. [2] Refers to a report dated November 17, 1952, written by Xiang Ming, Second Secretary of the CPC Shandong Sub-Bureau, in the name of the Sub-Bureau’s Commission for Inspection of Discipline, concerning opinions on combating bureaucratism, commandism, and violations of law and discipline. See note [2] on page ﾣﾱ of this volume. [3] Refers to the CPC Central Committee’s directive of January 5, 1953, on combating bureaucratism, commandism, and violations of law and discipline. See pages 8–10 of this volume.

Telegram Containing Opinions on Handling Protests Against the Enemy’s Massacre of Prisoners of War (January 13, 1953) Comrade Ding Guoyu [1]: We have received your telegram of 11:00 p.m. on January 12 [2]. (1) We approve the draft protest outlined in your telegram and instruct that it be delivered to the opposing side without delay on the 14th. (2) In future, routine protests of this nature may be handled according to established practice, without requiring separate consultation each time. However, if a case is particularly serious or complex and calls for special emphasis rather than standard procedure, a draft must be prepared and submitted for approval before such a protest can be issued. Issued at midnight on January 13 by Mao Zedong, based on the original document approved by Mao. Notes [1] Ding Guoyu was at the time involved in the leadership of the Chinese-Korean delegation during the Korean Armistice Talks. [2] Refers to a telegram sent by Ding Guoyu on January 13, 1953, seeking instructions from Mao Zedong, Kim Il-sung, and Peng Dehuai regarding how to handle a protest against the enemy’s massacre of prisoners of war. The telegram addressed the enemy’s announcement that one of our captured personnel had been hanged on January 9 at Camp No. 5 of the Sangmu Terrace prisoner-of-war camp, and included a drafted protest letter requesting approval.