**Comment on the Report on the Current Situation in Tibet and the Work of the Delegation**
(May 8, 1956)

Sichuan Provincial Party Committee, and forward to the Xikang Prefectural Party Committee:

This document[I] is issued for your reference. The inspection delegation from the Tibet side heading for the Kham region will arrive before long. You should receive them warmly, and tell them honestly and straightforwardly the causes of the rebellion, the situation regarding the pacification of the rebellion, the Party's policies, and work methods. You may also tell them about certain shortcomings and mistakes in our work, and ask them to help you carry out some pacification and persuasion work. If they are willing to go to Chengdu and Beijing for a visit, that would be even better.

The Central Committee
May 8, 1956

Please Sichuan Provincial Party Committee and Xikang Party Committee take note: Regarding the four causes of the rebellion alleged by the Lhasa side, please conduct an analysis based on the actual situation, and provide explanations consistent with the circumstances to the soon-to-arrive Lhasa inspection delegation. — Note by the Central Committee.

[I]
Refers to the report submitted by the Party Group of the Central Delegation to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on April 29, 1956, concerning the current political situation in Tibet and the work of the delegation. The report stated that while the Central Delegation was en route from Beijing, news of the rebellion in the Tibetan areas of Sichuan reached Lhasa, causing great shock and fear among the upper strata of lamas and aristocrats. They suspected that the establishment of the Preparatory Committee for the Autonomous Region and the delegation's visit to Tibet were for the purpose of carrying out reforms, and their attitude towards these two matters shifted from enthusiasm to coldness. Through convening forums for upper-strata figures, extensively conducting courtesy calls, visits, and distributing alms to monasteries, and other activities to propagate the Central Committee's policies, explain misunderstandings, and expose rumors, the situation has gradually stabilized.
The inaugural meeting of the Preparatory Committee for the Autonomous Region has concluded successfully. It is estimated that after continuing some work, the situation in Lhasa can be further stabilized. The report also mentioned that the Dalai Lama proposed sending a delegation to the Tibetan areas of Sichuan to assist the local Party and government in conducting propaganda and pacification work, to which we have already expressed agreement.

[1]
The report of the Central Delegation to the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China stated that there were various rumors in Lhasa regarding the causes of the rebellion in the Tibetan areas of Sichuan. A relatively common claim was that the rebellion was caused by four factors: struggling against the upper strata, confiscating firearms, levying taxes, and destroying religion. This note [II] is a comment added by Mao Zedong after these four causes mentioned in the report.

May 1, 1956, Mao Zedong, Liu Shaoqi and other state leaders at the May Day celebration.
May 2, 1956, Mao Zedong speaking at the 7th Supreme State Conference.

Photo Material
May 2, 1956, Mao Zedong further elaborated on the Ten Major Relationships at the Supreme State Conference. The photo shows Mao Zedong speaking at the conference.