Talk at Wuhan with the Directors of the Coordination Regions (II)
(December 12, 1958)

(1) The question of the communiqué. The West may fall apart; it looks as though it will fall apart, but even that is not certain. One bloc on the European continent, confronting Britain and America, but riddled with internal contradictions. There are contradictions between Germany and France, and also between Britain and America. They unite and struggle at the same time. Stalin analysed that the capitalist countries would fight among themselves. We said long ago, in an article we wrote in 1946, that we discovered the intermediate zones between America and the Soviet Union, and that the struggle for the intermediate zones is primary. Why not strike the intermediate zones first and strike the Soviet Union later? Using anti-communism as a pretext, they pursue a policy of nibbling away, committing aggression against the intermediate zones, which provokes resistance from the intermediate zones. With so many vast intermediate zones, they cannot make their way through them all. Including America, France, Germany, Italy, Asia, Africa, and Latin America are their rear areas. With Europe, Asia, and Africa in turmoil, how can the United States free its hands to strike the Soviet Union?

Exploitation means exploiting people. Only by exploiting people can one exploit the earth. Where there are people, there is land; where there is land, there is wealth. If all the people are killed, what is the point of occupying the land? I cannot think why one would want to use atom bombs. Conventional weapons are better. We think that as long as atom bombs are not used, Germany, France, and Italy would all approve. Many countries are not afraid of America. Can they not conclude a treaty agreeing not to use them against each other? So long as monopoly capital exists, it is impossible to avoid war, because there is a lack of raw materials and markets.

In the communiqué, the estimate of the international situation – the imperialists are bound to fall apart, and they will fight among themselves. Nixon says: He wants to engage in economic competition, and wants to prop up India. How can India be propped up? In the West, there is an atmosphere of pessimism; here, we have an atmosphere of elation. The phrase “fall apart” should be weighed carefully. It is the truth that they will fall apart, but speaking it aloud may put them on their guard, yet there is nothing they can do about it. In Taiwan, the United States wants to squeeze the liberal elements in. Iraq is very tense. These last few days, a large batch of counter-revolutionaries have been arrested, but the outcome is not yet decided. The main thing is that America, Britain, Turkey, and Iran are engaged in conspiracies (Qasim – why dissolve the trade unions? One wonders why Iraq is so well-informed).

(2) The three documents have been finalized. On the question of resignation:
There must always be an “idol.” A squad must have a squad leader. The Central Committee must have a First Secretary. Without tiny dust particles to serve as nuclei, there will be no rain. Rather than chaos occurring when one is dead, it is better to have a bit of chaos now. In any case, there are people here. Having no core is absolutely impermissible; it must be consolidated. Handled to death, it becomes an “idol.” To break this down is rather difficult; it is a psychological state built up over a long time. Perhaps in the future, posts can be increased or decreased, and one can move up or down. In reality, I have only served as half a Chairman, not handling day-to-day affairs.

The 1959 plan should be implemented for two months first; we will discuss it again in mid-February.

What about the people’s communes? On February 1, convene a meeting of the provincial and municipal Party committee secretaries, either in Beijing, Chengdu, or Shanghai.

The Hong Kong newspapers mock Chiang Kai-shek: “Fleeing the temple in panic, he escaped to Taiwan.”

The National People’s Congress will convene on March 15.

The February 1 meeting, besides examining the two resolutions, will also address the following: streamlining the state organs is necessary. Arrange the reports for the National People’s Congress. Also the question of education. Draft some more internal directives on the people’s communes.

Have the people’s communes undermined the Constitution? For example, the question of merging government administration with commune management was not passed by the National People’s Congress, and is not in the Constitution. Many parts of the Constitution are outdated now. But do not amend it yet. After we surpass America, then we will draft a written constitution. For now, learn from America and adopt an unwritten constitution. The United States has an unwritten constitution, pieced together essay by essay.

Entering communism will require fifteen years, twenty years, or perhaps a little more time. To achieve socialist ownership by the whole people, at the earliest, three or four years – this refers to the Second Five-Year Plan; at the latest, five or six years – this refers to the Third Five-Year Plan.