Telegram to Liu Shaoqi Regarding the Letter from Gao Gang and the Guiding Principles for Convening the Seventh Plenary Session of the Seventh Central Committee
(January 22, 1954)

Comrade Liu Shaoqi:

Comrade Yang Shangkun has arrived here. I have received the necessary documents, as well as a letter from Comrade Gao Gang. In his letter, Comrade Gao Gang states that he fully endorses and approves the draft resolution on strengthening the Party’s unity, and says that he has made mistakes and intends to conduct a self-criticism at the Fourth Plenary Session, wishing to come here before the session to discuss this matter with me. I believe that with the plenary session about to convene, it is not appropriate for Comrade Gao Gang to come here. The matters he wishes to discuss can be handled by you and Comrade Enlai, or perhaps with the addition of Comrade Xiaoping, in consultation with him. Regarding the guiding principles for convening the Fourth Plenary Session, apart from what is expressed in the documents, self-criticism by any comrade is to be welcomed, but criticism directed at any comrade should be avoided as far as possible, so as to allow comrades who have made mistakes time to become aware of them. I already mentioned this latter point in my letter of January 7 to you and the comrades of the Secretariat. If you agree with this guiding principle, please discuss it in advance with the comrades attending the session on this basis, and also discuss with Comrade Gao Gang the matters he wishes to discuss. Shangkun will remain here for a few days and then return to Beijing. Please show this telegram to Comrade Gao Gang; I will not write a separate reply.

Mao Zedong
January 22

[1]
Gao Gang, then a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Vice Chairman of the Central People’s Government, and Chairman of the State Planning Commission.