Commentary on a Document Concerning Khrushchev’s [I] Attack on Mao Zedong’s Remarks P
(September 17, 1964)
To Liu, Zhou, Peng, Zhu, and Chen [3]: Please read and return to Mao.
It is still the same old story we discussed last time—using threats as a form of defense. Bluster on the surface, weakness within. The majority of world public opinion does not take it seriously.
Mao Zedong
Seventeenth day of the eighth month
Chuan
Khrushchev was then First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union.
[2]
This commentary was written on a document from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The document detailed how, during his meeting with a Japanese parliamentary delegation on September 15, 1964, Khrushchev had attacked Mao Zedong’s remarks to a delegation from Japan’s Socialist Party.
[3]
Liu refers to Liu Shaoqi. Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai.
Peng refers to Peng Zhen, who at the time was a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee. Zhu refers to Zhu De. Chen refers to Chen Yi, who at the time was a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council as well as Minister of Foreign Affairs.