Comments on Mo Wenhua’s Report〔1〕 Concerning Assistance in Training Political Cadres for the Industrial Sector (December 25, 1963) In this document〔2〕, all official titles (such as “Chairman Mao”) are to be uniformly replaced with names followed by the title “Comrade” (e.g., Comrade Mao Zedong), and customary appellations (such as “Commander Lin”) are likewise to be changed to names accompanied by “Comrade” (e.g., Comrade Lin Biao). This practice has persisted for several decades and is inappropriate. It has given rise to certain bureaucratic tendencies, creating an artificial distance and a measure of estrangement between officers and soldiers, as well as between superiors and subordinates. The same situation prevails at the local level. I propose that we resolutely reverse this trend. Mao Zedong December 25, 1963 Printed from the manuscript. Notes 〔1〕 Mo Wenhua was then the President of the Political Academy of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. 〔2〕 Refers to Mo Wenhua’s report dated December 22, 1963, addressed to Xiao Hua (Deputy Secretary-General of the Central Military Commission of the CPC, Deputy Director of the General Political Department of the PLA), Lin Biao (Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission), and Luo Ruiqing (Member of the Standing Committee and Secretary-General of the Central Military Commission, Chief of the General Staff of the PLA). The report states: “We have studied the Central Committee’s ‘Directive on Strengthening Mutual Learning and Overcoming Complacency and Arrogance,’ Chairman Mao’s letter of [date] to Vice Chairman Lin, and Chairman Mao’s letter of [date] to Commander Lin, Commander He, Commander Nie, Chief of Staff Luo, and Deputy Director Xiao.”

The Standing Committee of the Academy’s Party Committee conducted a preliminary review, and all members unanimously expressed their resolve to firmly overcome complacency and arrogance, earnestly learn from sister institutions, and thus meet the new situation characterized by improving domestic and international conditions and the imminent arrival of a period of great development. Chairman Mao’s instruction that the Political Academy should assume part of the responsibility for assisting the industrial sector in training political cadres has served as tremendous encouragement and a powerful spur to us. We are determined to carry out this arduous yet glorious task with the utmost resolve, so as not to fail the trust placed in us by the Party Central Committee, Chairman Mao, the Military Commission, and the General Political Department. Assisting the industrial sector in training a contingent of political cadres also presents us with an excellent opportunity to learn from local cadres; we will humbly absorb their valuable experience and fine work style, further improve our operations, and enhance the quality of our teaching. The report furthermore sets forth preliminary proposals for assisting in the training of political cadres within the industrial system, covering such matters as enrollment quotas, the length of study, course content, and scheduling.