On
〈The Situation of Studying and Discussing Comrade Shaoqi's Report in Various Regions〉

(June 23, 1958)

Comrade Chen Boda[2]:

Please arrange for Comrades Lu Dingyi[3], Kang Sheng, Qiaomu, Hu Sheng, Deng Liqun, and Tian Jiaying to look through the problems listed in the first article of this issue, mainly the problems in sections eight, nine, and ten, on the spot, and analyze each problem one by one on the spot. Four or five hours should be enough. Then I hope to talk to you once! These problems are worth noting, do not ignore them.

Mao Zedong
June 23

[1]
This instruction was written on the cover of the 2510th issue of the "Internal Reference" compiled and printed by Xinhua News Agency on June 20, 1958. This issue of "Internal Reference" carried the article "The Situation of Studying and Discussing Comrade Shaoqi's Report in Various Regions," which summarized the questions raised by various regions when studying and discussing Liu Shaoqi's report at the Second Session of the Eighth National Congress in ten aspects. The questions raised in the first to seventh sections were: the difference and connection between the general line for the transition period and the general line for socialist construction; the basic spirit of the general line for socialist construction; building socialism with greater, faster, better, and more economical results; the basic points of the general line; breaking superstitions; the "saddle shape"; and the question of intellectuals. The eighth section was about the main contradiction in the transition period. The article said: The First Session of the Eighth National Congress proposed: "The main domestic contradiction is the contradiction between the advanced social system and the backward productive forces." The Second Session of the Eighth National Congress proposed: "The contradiction between the proletariat and the bourgeoisie, and between the socialist and capitalist roads, is the main contradiction in the transition period." The formulations of the two sessions are inconsistent. Which one is correct? Some people believe that the formulation of the First Session of the Eighth National Congress was wrong, and the Central Committee's assessment of the situation at that time was overly optimistic. However, some people believe that it was correct because the bourgeoisie was beating gongs and drums to accept socialist transformation at that time. Strategically, it was neither possible nor appropriate to mention that the contradiction between the bourgeoisie and the proletariat was the main contradiction in the transition period. But some people asked, since it is said that the socialist revolution has achieved a decisive victory on the political, economic, and ideological fronts, which means that the question of whether or not to have socialism has been basically resolved. If it is admitted that this understanding is correct, why is it still said that the main domestic contradiction is the struggle between the two roads? Since the main contradiction in the future is the struggle between the two roads, why is it said that the main task in the future is the technological revolution and the cultural revolution? Why are the main contradiction and the main task inconsistent? What are the laws of class struggle in the future? What kind of enemy situation concept should we establish? The ninth section is about the international situation. The article said that some people expressed doubts about the East Wind prevailing over the West Wind; some people believed that a third world war would definitely occur and lacked confidence that war was not destined to be inevitable. The tenth section is about some other issues, including: the question of inserting red flags and pulling out white flags; the question of how leading cadres should appear as ordinary laborers; the lack of ideological preparation for the continuous revolution and the need to carry out mass movements in socialist construction, and many cadres are tired of one movement after another since liberation; whether the main contradiction in the world today is the contradiction within the imperialist camp or the contradiction between the socialist camp and the imperialist camp; what is the difference between Chairman Mao's proposal of "continuous revolution" and Chen Duxiu's theory of "two revolutions," etc.

[2]
Chen Boda was then the director of the Political Research Office of the CPC Central Committee and the editor-in-chief of the "Red Flag" magazine.

[3]
Dingyi, namely Lu Dingyi, was then the leader of the Cultural and Educational Group of the CPC Central Committee and the Minister of the Propaganda Department of the Central Committee. Kang Sheng was then the deputy leader of the Cultural and Educational Group of the CPC Central Committee. Qiaomu, namely Hu Qiaomu, was then an alternate secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee. Hu Sheng was then the deputy director of the Political Research Office of the CPC Central Committee and the permanent editor of the "Red Flag" magazine. Deng Liqun was then the permanent editor of the "Red Flag" magazine. Tian Jiaying was then the deputy director of the Political Research Office of the CPC Central Committee and the permanent editor of the "Red Flag" magazine.