Comments on Liu Lantao’s Report Concerning the Dissemination of the Spirit of the Sixth Plenary Session of the Seventh Central Committee among Provinces and Municipalities in North China [1] (October 19, 1955) To be read by Liu, Zhou, and Deng [2], then returned to Comrade Liu Lantao. · (1) The concluding remarks [3] have been requested to be compiled by Comrades Chen Boda and Tian Jiaying [4]. After I have reviewed them and submitted them for the consideration of all comrades, they may then be issued. (2) It is proposed to compile a book containing the speeches delivered at the plenary session and distribute it to prefectural- or county-level officials (to be decided). Among these speeches is Comrade Deng Zihui’s self-criticism regarding the mistakes made by the Central Rural Work Department; there is no need for any special circular transmission of this document. (3) Comrade Ma Mingfang’s speech should undergo appropriate revisions. Therefore, please ask Lantao to consult with Mingfang and submit the revised draft to Comrade Hu Qiaomu [7], as he is currently responsible for editing this book. Mao Zedong October 19 Based on the manuscript. Notes [1] On October 17, 1955, Liu Lantao, Deputy Secretary-General of the CPC Central Committee, submitted a report to Mao Zedong stating that following the Chairman’s concluding remarks at the Sixth Plenary Session of the Seventh CPC Central Committee on the 11th of this month, all five groups in North China’s provinces and municipalities, as well as Inner Mongolia, had held group meetings. On the 14th, another meeting was convened for secretaries of regional party committees and above to present reports. The various provinces and municipalities attached great importance to the matter of dissemination, expressing their desire to have the official record of the Chairman’s conclusions printed and distributed, to see the Model Statutes for Agricultural Production Cooperatives promulgated at an early date, and raising questions concerning the appropriate level at which to communicate information about the errors committed by the Central Rural Work Department. [2] Liu refers to Liu Shaoqi. Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai. Deng refers to Deng Xiaoping, who at that time served as Secretary-General of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council. [3] Refers to Mao Zedong’s concluding remarks delivered at the Sixth Plenary Session of the Seventh CPC Central Committee on October 11, 1955. This compiled version of the remarks was never officially released. [4] Chen Boda was then Deputy Minister of the CPC Central Committee’s Rural Work Department and Mao Zedong’s secretary. Tian Jiaying was then Deputy Director of the Office of the President of the People’s Republic of China and also served as Mao Zedong’s secretary. [ ] Deng Zihui, who at the time was Minister of the CPC Central Committee’s Rural Work Department and Vice Premier of the State Council. [ ] Ma Mingfang, who at the time was Deputy Secretary-General of the CPC Central Committee. [7] Hu Qiaomu, who at the time was Deputy Secretary-General of the CPC Central Committee and Mao Zedong’s secretary.
Comments and Reply Letter to Zhang Naiqi [1] (October–November 1955) First: To be read by Liu, Zhou, Chen, Deng, and Peng Zhen [2], then returned to Mao. Zhang Naiqi’s letter [3]. Mao Zedong October 19 To be read by Lu Dingyi and Chen Boda [4], then returned to Mao. Printed from the manuscript. Second: The main purpose of this letter lies in this passage, which essentially states that we impose too many rigid rules and regulations upon the bourgeoisie. [5] Third: To be read by Zhou, Chen, Peng Zhen, Li Weihan, and Xu Bing [6], then returned to Mao. 4£²

Zhang Naiqi’s letter [7] is worth reading. Printed according to Mao Zedong’s manuscript. Fourth: Minister Naiqi: I have received and carefully read both your letters. Thank you for informing me of these circumstances and for your opinions. One-sided views among cadres will always exist; the key is to help them learn how to adopt a realistic, comprehensive analytical approach. As for the enclosed material [ ], I have not yet had time to examine it; I will review it and return it to you later. Best wishes! Mao Zedong November 1, 1955 Printed from the manuscript. Included in Selected Letters of Mao Zedong. Notes [ ] Zhang Naiqi was then Vice Chairman of the China Democratic National Construction Association and Minister of Foodstuffs. [2] Liu refers to Liu Shaoqi. Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai. Chen refers to Chen Yun, who at the time was a member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council. Deng refers to Deng Xiaoping, who served as Secretary-General of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council. Peng Zhen was then an alternate member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. [3] Refers to Zhang Naiqi’s letter to Mao Zedong dated October 18, 1955. In the letter, he discussed his reflections on studying Mao Zedong’s essay “On the Question of Agricultural Collectivization.” [4] Lu Dingyi was then Minister of Propaganda of the CPC Central Committee. Chen Boda was then Deputy Minister of Propaganda of the CPC Central Committee. [ ] These comments were written in response to the final paragraph of Zhang Naiqi’s letter to Mao Zedong dated October 18, 1955. The letter stated: “Finally, I would like to offer a suggestion: those engaged in propaganda work should be encouraged to study some basic knowledge of Pavlov’s teachings, so that they can find a scientific basis for ‘treating people kindly’ and ‘persuading gently,’ thereby reducing unnecessary rules and restrictions. At the same time, this could also help them correctly distinguish between materialism and idealism, thus better mastering the laws of dialectics.” [ ] Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai. Chen refers to Chen Yun. Li Weihan was then Minister of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee. Xu Bing was then Deputy Minister of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee. [7] Refers to Zhang Naiqi’s letter to Mao Zedong dated October 27, 1955. In the letter, he acknowledged that his earlier report to you regarding the Zhengzhou branch of the China Democratic National Construction Association—that 100 percent of local private factories were operating illegally—was inaccurate. He attributed this error to the insufficient enthusiasm of the author and signatory for the socialist transformation movement, as well as to their unclear understanding of the boundary between lawful and unlawful activities. The letter further noted that many individuals there were arbitrarily enacting legislation, imposing demands on the industrial and commercial sectors that were even stricter than those placed on state organs and state-owned enterprises. If judged by such standards, even our Ministry of Foodstuffs would be considered in violation of the law. [ ] Refers to the supplementary materials attached to Zhang Naiqi’s letter of October 27, 1955, which contained a detailed analysis of the manifestations of dogmatism within democratic parties.