Letter Regarding the Review of Huang Yanpei’s Speech Manuscript [I]
Delivered to Shanghai’s Industrial and Commercial Circles
(March 12, 1954)
Vice Premier Huang:
Your kind letter of March 8 has been carefully read. Attachment No. 12 has already been forwarded to Premier Zhou and Minister Li Weihan [3] for their consideration and appropriate notification.
The term “people” refers to the bourgeoisie and the democratic parties, excluding the landlord class and the bureaucratic bourgeoisie; it is therefore not “all-inclusive.” It would be best to avoid using the phrase “painless delivery method” in print, since, in reality, those who are not yet fully enlightened will inevitably experience some degree of discomfort. If too many checks are issued, it may give rise to unrealistic expectations, leading people to neglect further education and study and to fail to raise their political awareness. As a result, those who feel aggrieved will become dissatisfied with us. Please consider this point carefully. With highest respect,
Mao Zedong
Hangzhou, March 12, 1954 |
[I]
Huang Yanpei was then Chairman of the Central Committee of the China Democratic National Construction Association and Vice Premier of the Government Administration Council.
[2] Refers to Huang Yanpei’s speech manuscript delivered to Shanghai’s industrial and commercial circles on March 1, 1954.
[3]
Li Weihan was at that time Minister of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Comrades Enlai and Weihan:
Please review this document and offer your considered advice, then inform Vice Premier Huang. The phrase “Class abolition brings individual happiness” would be more appropriately revised to read “Class abolition ensures individual existence.” You might also inform him, in an informal conversation, not to cite this remark in any published materials; please make your own judgment on this matter. Should his speech not be published in the newspapers, making revision difficult, there would be no objection to allowing him to quote it as is. Furthermore, his reference to a “painless delivery method” is not entirely appropriate. If the text is intended only for internal circulation and not for publication, it need not be altered. At the end, after quoting my remarks, he stated that “the people” encompass “everything.” I have already replied to him, clarifying that this is not the case—that the landlord class and the bureaucratic bourgeoisie are excluded. In my reply to Mr. Huang, I mentioned only these two points: my correction regarding the “people” and my critique of the “painless delivery method.” Beyond that, I simply noted that your two esteemed selves would consider his letter and convey your views to him.
Respectfully submitted!
Mao Zedong
March 12, 1954
This reply to Mr. Huang should be reviewed and then forwarded.
Handwritten draft of Mao Zedong’s letter to Huang Yanpei.