Commentary on the Article “The Role of Macmillan” (October 15, 1960) One Hashi [1] is a thoughtful American journalist. This article [2] is worth studying. Mao Zedong, October 15, printed from the manuscript.

Two Copies Sent to Liu, Zhou, Zhu, Lin, Chen, Fu Chun, Bo Da, and Leng Xi [3], a total of eight people. Printed according to Mao Zedong’s manuscript.

Notes [1] Hashi was at the time a special correspondent for the Christian Science Monitor at the United Nations.

[2] Refers to Hashi’s article “The Role of Macmillan,” published in the 18th issue (supplement) of the Xinhua News Agency’s “Internal Reference” on October 6, 1960. The article argues that Khrushchev’s actions over the past few weeks indicate that he has become a captive of Chinese Communist Party policy. To extricate himself from the numerous problems he faces, he needs assistance from the West. Many Western experts believe that, in order to prove to domestic critics that he does not favor capitalism, Khrushchev has been compelled to launch a series of harsh verbal attacks against the West while simultaneously taking some very serious and forceful measures. This view aligns with another theory increasingly gaining traction in Western strategic circles: that Soviet society is undergoing transformation, with a growing number of people in the new Soviet society demanding a more pleasant and comfortable way of life, and that Communist officials are being eroded by these human desires and interests. This development has led British Prime Minister Macmillan to firmly believe that all bridges between East and West should not be burned; maintaining open lines of communication is now more important than ever, because closing such channels could easily push Khrushchev irrevocably into China’s embrace, potentially triggering what the Chinese call a world war. Macmillan hopes to resume summit-level meetings as a safeguard for peace.

[3] Liu refers to Liu Shaoqi. Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai. Zhu refers to Zhu De. Lin refers to Lin Biao. Chen refers to Chen Yun. All four—Liu, Zhou, Zhu, and Lin—were then Vice Chairmen of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premiers of the State Council. Fu Chun is Li Fuchun, who at the time was a member of the CPC Central Political Bureau, Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice Premier of the State Council. Bo Da is Chen Boda, then an alternate member of the CPC Central Political Bureau and Director of the Central Political Research Office. Leng Xi is Wu Lengxi, who at the time was President of the Xinhua News Agency and Editor-in-Chief of the People’s Daily.