Letter to Deng Xiaoping [1] et al. (March 25, 1962) Comrades Xiaoping, Shangkun, and Lengxi [2]:  Since Lin Ke has been sent down to the countryside, I now lack someone to review international materials for me, and there is no one left to assist me in reading English. Therefore, I request that you select a suitable person from among the editors and translators of Xinhua News Agency’s International Department. The candidate should not be too old—ideally between twenty and thirty years of age—and should have some experience translating English-language news. He should also be intelligent, honest, energetic, and possess the potential to develop into a theoretical cadre. Moreover, his temperament should be relatively mild, with speech that is not overly sharp. As for English proficiency, an intermediate level will suffice.  It should be made clear at the outset that this will be a trial period; if he does not prove capable, he will return to his original post. His role will be as Lin Ke’s assistant: when Lin Ke returns, this individual will be sent down to the countryside, and when he returns, Lin Ke will go again, with the arrangement cycling in this manner. In addition, the person must be able to maintain strict confidentiality.  Furthermore, my two secretaries here are of low cultural and political caliber; they are unable to properly screen and select internal documents on my behalf, let alone offer me constructive suggestions. I therefore need another comrade of higher cultural and political standing to assist me. Ideally, this person would have practical experience in mass work at the local level. If such a person can be found, it should likewise be specified that this will be a trial assignment, and that another candidate may be sought if he proves unsuitable. As for secretarial duties of a purely clerical nature—such as handling correspondence—having just one person is sufficient; one position could be eliminated.  I earnestly request that you kindly attend to these two matters!

Mao Zedong, March 25th. Printed from the manuscript. Notes [1] Deng Xiaoping was then General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee. [2] Shangkun refers to Yang Shangkun, who at the time served as Alternate Secretary of the CPC Central Secretariat and Director of the Central Office. Lengxi refers to Wu Lengxi, then President of Xinhua News Agency and Editor-in-Chief of People’s Daily. [3] Lin Ke was then a secretary in Mao Zedong’s office.