Regarding the Central Guard Regiment,
A Comment That a Cultural Troupe Should Not Be Established [1]
(5 November 1953)

To be read by Liu, Zhu, Peng, Luo Ruiqing, Zhou [2], and handled by Shangkun [3].

There was absolutely no need to establish this cultural troupe, and for this matter to arise again after the Three-Antis Campaign is impermissible. Xiao Hua bears only the error of approving and issuing the telegram; the fundamental error lies with the public security organs.

Mao Zedong
5 November 1953

[1] This comment was written on the self-criticism report submitted to Mao Zedong on 2 November 1953 by Xiao Hua, Deputy Director of the General Political Department of the People’s Revolutionary Military Commission, regarding errors in handling a telegram. The self-criticism report stated: "Recently, I made an error in handling a telegram. On 9 July, I approved and issued a telegram from the Ministry of Public Security concerning the transfer of cultural troupe members for the Central Guard Regiment. At the time, I only took into account the issue of ensuring the safety of the leading comrades of the Central Committee, without considering the possible political repercussions of the telegram. It was only after Vice Chairman Peng Dehuai pointed it out that I realized the error."

[2] Liu refers to Liu Shaoqi. Zhu refers to Zhu De. Peng refers to Peng Dehuai, then Vice Chairman of the People’s Revolutionary Military Commission. Luo Ruiqing was then Minister of Public Security of the Central People’s Government. Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai.

[3] Shangkun, namely Yang Shangkun, was then Director of the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.