(September 28, 1963)
prosperity year by year, and people’s living standards must improve year by year. Our economic development and the improvement of people’s lives should not only be better than during the Kuomintang rule, but also better than in the Soviet Union today. In developing socialist construction, accumulation is necessary, but it must not be excessive; grain should be purchased from farmers, yet the targets should not be too high, and over-purchasing must be avoided. We need to lighten the burden on the people and improve their lives. Supplies of materials such as cloth, tea, sugar, and other daily necessities for all ethnic groups in Xinjiang should be more ample than in other regions. Please convey to Premier 121 and Comrade Xian-nian 131 that


We must put politics first and strengthen ideological and political education. Han cadres should learn the languages and scripts of minority nationalities, pay close attention to fostering harmonious inter-ethnic relations, and enhance national unity. It is essential to educate Han cadres and the general public to strictly abide by the Party’s ethnic policies. We should place our trust in the vast majority of cadres and people of all ethnic groups: regardless of which ethnicity they belong to, as long as they are working people, we should trust them and unite with them. We need to make proper arrangements for Han laborers who have moved to Xinjiang. We must effectively resolve the issues concerning Han laborers in Xinjiang—
Xian-nian refers to Li Xiannian.


the relationships between Han laborers and their minority counterparts. Given differences in ethnicity, language, and customs, it is crucial to conduct education on ethnic policy among Han workers, teaching them to respect the traditions and practices of minority groups. We should encourage Han workers to learn the languages of minority peoples and to build good relations and solidarity with them. Furthermore, we must assist these Han workers who have gone to Xinjiang in resolving matters related to marriage and other personal difficulties.

--- Notes

[1]
This is part of a conversation held in September 1963 when Mao Zedong convened Zhou Enlai, Zhu De, and several other central leaders along with Wang Enmao, First Secretary of the CPC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region Committee, to discuss work related to Xinjiang.
[2]
Premier refers to Zhou Enlai.
[3]