Telegram and Letter to Liu Shaoqi and Others
(February 17, 1954)

Comrade Liu Shaoqi, and all comrades of the Secretariat:

The initial draft of the Constitution (five copies) is hereby sent by courier. Please have additional copies printed and distributed to all comrades of the Political Bureau and members of the Central Committee currently in Beijing. Convene several discussion meetings within one week after February 20, and have the revision opinions brought here by Comrades Xiaoping and Weihan (1) for further discussion and revision (about seven days or so should suffice). After that, it shall be submitted to the Central Committee for discussion and a preliminary decision (still an initial draft), and then it may be submitted to the Constitution Drafting Committee for discussion. Therefore, the original plan for Xiaoping and Weihan to depart and come here on the 20th may be postponed until the end of the month. The courier delivering the initial draft (2) will depart tomorrow (the 18th) and can arrive in Beijing on the 20th.

Mao Zedong
February 17, 10:00 p.m.

[1]
Xiaoping, namely Deng Xiaoping, then served as Vice Premier of the Government Administration Council. Weihan, namely Li Weihan, then served as Minister of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee.

[2]
Refers to Zhang Yiping, then working in the Security Bureau of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee.

Manuscript of Mao Zedong’s telegram to Liu Shaoqi and others.

Comrade Shaoqi:
Comrade Zhang Yiping is hereby dispatched to deliver five copies of the initial draft of the Constitution. Please acknowledge receipt and handle accordingly. For further details, see today’s telegram.
With salutations!
Manuscript of Mao Zedong’s letter to Liu Shaoqi.
Mao Zedong
February 17, 1954