Commentary on the Publication of Zhao Yiming’s Speech (June 16, 1957)

Comrades Peng Zhen and Li Weihan:  Please have Peng check whether what Zhao Yiming exposed has already been published in the Chengdu newspaper. If it has been published, please inform Xinhua News Agency to retransmit it in the form of a news release; if it has not yet been published, consult with Li Jingquan to secure its publication, after which Xinhua News Agency may then issue it.

Mao Zedong June 16 Based on the manuscript copy.

Notes  [1] Zhao Yiming was at that time Deputy Secretary-General of the Sichuan Provincial Committee of the China Democratic League.  [2] Peng Zhen was then a Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee. Li Weihan refers to Li Weihan, who at that time served as Minister of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee.  [3] This refers to Zhao Yiming’s remarks at a symposium convened on June 15, 1957, by the United Front Work Department of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee. In his speech, Zhao exposed certain statements made by Zhang Bojun and Luo Longji at the national working conference of the China Democratic League’s central committee held in April of the same year, as well as the impact of those remarks on the league’s local organizations. On June 16, the People’s Daily—Sichuan Daily published this speech. On June 18, the Daily reprinted it with minor abridgments.  [4] Li Jingquan was at that time First Secretary of the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee.