Commentary on Zhou Yang’s Request for Approval of the Organizational Plan Concerning the Criticism of Hu Shi [1] (December 3, 1954)

To Comrades Liu, Zhou, Zhu, Chen, Deng, Chen Boda, Hu Qiaomu, Deng Tao [2], and Zhou Yang: Please review this and proceed accordingly. Mao Zedong, December 3.

Printed from the manuscript. Notes [1] Refers to a report submitted by Zhou Yang, Deputy Minister of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee, to Mao Zedong on December 2, 1954, regarding the organizational plan for criticizing Hu Shi. The report stated that, in accordance with the spirit of your conversation last night, the original draft plan for discussing the issue of Hu Shi had been fundamentally revised. At an expanded joint meeting held that afternoon between the Presidium of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and the Presidium of the Writers Association, the revised draft plan for criticizing Hu Shi was discussed and adopted. The new plan focused primarily on critiquing Hu Shi’s thought, with the following topics set forth: 1. A Critique of Hu Shi’s Philosophical Thought (mainly his pragmatism); 2. A Critique of Hu Shi’s Political Thought; 3. A Critique of Hu Shi’s Historical Viewpoint; 4. A Critique of Hu Shi’s “History of Chinese Philosophy”; 5. A Critique of Hu Shi’s Literary Thought; 6. A Critique of Hu Shi’s “History of Chinese Literature”; 7. The Status and Role of Textual Research in Historical Studies and Classical Literary Research; 8. The Popular Nature and Artistic Achievements of “Dream of the Red Chamber,” as well as the Social Background in Which It Was Created; 9. A Critique of Works on “Dream of the Red Chamber” (that is, an evaluation of the so-called old and new schools of “Redology”). As for the organization and format of the discussion meetings, it was decided to emphasize individual research and adopt more flexible organizational structures and discussion methods. All major papers presented at these meetings were to be published in the People’s Daily. To lead this campaign of criticism, a committee had been formally established, comprising Guo Moruo, Mao Dun, Zhou Yang, Deng Tao, Pan Zinian, Hu Sheng, Lao She, and Yin Da, among others. [2] Liu refers to Liu Shaoqi. Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai. Zhu refers to Zhu De. Chen refers to Chen Yun, who at the time served as a Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee. Deng refers to Deng Xiaoping, then Secretary-General of the CPC Central Committee. Chen Boda was at the time Deputy Minister of the CPC Central Committee’s Publicity Department. Hu Qiaomu was also a Deputy Minister of the CPC Central Committee’s Publicity Department. Deng Tao was then Editor-in-Chief of the People’s Daily.