Letter to Zhang Siwei[1]

(September 8, 1953)

Brother Siwei:

Your letter of August 17 has been received. I am deeply saddened by the passing of Brother Youcheng[2] from illness. As for your coming to Beijing, do not come this year still; we shall discuss it again in the future.

Best wishes!

Mao Zedong
September 8, 1953

Published based on the manuscript.

Notes
[1] Zhang Siwei was a neighbor of Mao Zedong in his youth. In his early years, he participated together with Mao Zedong in the 1911 Revolution, the Northern Expedition, and the peasant movement. After the founding of the People’s Republic, he worked at the Hunan Provincial Salt Administration and Transportation Bureau.
[2] Youcheng refers to Zhang Youcheng, Zhang Siwei’s cousin. In his early years, he participated together with Mao Zedong in the 1911 Revolution and the peasant movement. He passed away in Hunan in 1952.