Print and Distribute
A Comment on “Some Soviet Comrades Are Buzzing with Discussions About Our Great Leap Forward”
(19 July 1959)

This document [1] is to be printed and distributed for study by all comrades.

Mao Zedong
19 July

[1]
This report, sent by the Chinese Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on 2 July 1959, states that recently among some Soviet cadres, especially among certain cadres with whom we have inherent working relations, talk has been circulating quite widely about certain current difficult situations in our country, discussing certain specific figures that we have not made public. The basic characteristic of these discussions is to set aside the main aspects of the issues, to avoid mentioning China’s achievements altogether, and to speak exclusively of shortcomings, concluding that the Chinese Party has committed errors. However, quite a few cadres, after hearing these remarks, have expressed doubts or differing views. In light of the above situation, we suggest that the leadership consider whether it is necessary to have the Central Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provide a unified explanation and clarification regarding our actual circumstances to fraternal country parties or embassies in China, so as to seize the initiative. When Mao Zedong wrote the instruction to print and distribute this material, he changed the title to “Some Soviet Comrades Are Buzzing with Discussions About Our Great Leap Forward.”