Regarding the Directive That
People’s Daily Should Emphasize
Ideological and Theoretical Work [1]
(3 February 1964)

Comrades Shaoqi and Xiaoping [2]:

People’s Daily has never paid attention to ideological and theoretical work. There are very few articles on philosophy and social sciences, and even fewer on natural sciences. This theoretical front has been handed over to Guangming Daily, Wen Hui Bao, and the monthly New Construction. This situation must be changed for the better. Now that they have

the idea of changing, I request the Secretariat to discuss it and resolve the cadre issue for them. It is my earnest hope!

Mao Zedong
3 February

--- Notes

[1] This directive was written on a report by the Editorial Board of People’s Daily, dated 31 January 1964, to the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, with a copy to Mao Zedong, concerning the increase of academic articles. The report stated that, in order to change the situation of having too few academic articles, the following measures were to be adopted: 1. Taking the six criteria set forth in On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People as the guiding standards, resolutely implementing the policy of “letting a hundred schools of thought contend,” increasing academic papers, and fostering an atmosphere of academic discussion. 2. In philosophy and social sciences, focusing on philosophy and vigorously propagating Mao Zedong Thought; strengthening ideological commentary, and, on issues of universal significance in real life and practical work, repeatedly elucidating the Marxist-Leninist epistemology and methodology; and systematically organizing discussions on relevant philosophical questions. 3. Actively participating, with full preparation, in academic debates. 4. In natural sciences, focusing on agricultural science and organizing scientific papers to serve the increase of agricultural production; at the same time, organizing informative articles on various disciplines of natural science. 5. Inviting responsible comrades of provincial Party committees and central departments to write articles summarizing the experience of socialist construction. The report also stated that People’s Daily published theoretical and academic articles in three pages per week, totaling approximately 160,000 to 180,000 characters per month—double the quantity of ordinary periodicals. Since most of the articles had to be solicited externally, the work was relatively heavy, and the staff was seriously insufficient. It requested the Central Committee to approve the transfer of 10 to 15 cadres with relatively strong theoretical grounding.


[2] Shaoqi refers to Liu Shaoqi. Xiaoping refers to Deng Xiaoping, then General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee.