Commentary on the Issuance of “Some Soviet Comrades Are Much Divided in Their Views on China’s Great Leap Forward” (July 19, 1959) This document [1] is hereby circulated for the study of all comrades. Mao Zedong, July 19, printed from the manuscript.

Notes [1] In a report dated July 2, 1959, sent by the Chinese Embassy in the Soviet Union to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and to the CPC Central Committee, it was stated that recently among certain Soviet cadres—particularly those who maintain working relations with China—there has been a rather widespread circulation of remarks concerning some of China’s present difficulties, including discussions of specific figures that have not been made public. The basic characteristic of these discussions is that they bypass the main aspects of the issue, avoid mentioning China’s achievements, and focus solely on its shortcomings, leading to the conclusion that the Chinese Party has made mistakes. However, many cadres, after hearing such views, have expressed skepticism or held different opinions. In view of the above situation, we suggest that the leadership consider whether it would be necessary for the Central Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to provide a unified statement and explanation of our actual conditions to the parties of fraternal countries or to their embassies in China, so as to take the initiative. When endorsing the issuance of this material, Mao Zedong changed its title to “Some Soviet Comrades Are Much Divided in Their Views on China’s Great Leap Forward.”