**General Review and Criticism:**
**Comments and Revisions on the Report Concerning Li Zongren’s [1] Return to China**
**(July 12 and 15, 1965)**

[1]
Li Zongren, originally the leader of the Kuomintang Guangxi Clique. In April 1948, he served as Vice President of the Kuomintang government. In January 1949, after Chiang Kai-shek retired, he served as Acting President of the Kuomintang government. After the collapse of the Kuomintang regime, he went to the United States.
[2]
Item one of this piece consists of Mao Zedong’s comments written on the Opinion of the Central Investigation Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, dated July 9, 1965, concerning issues related to Li Zongren’s return to China. The Investigation Department’s opinion stated that Cheng Siyuan arrived in Switzerland on June 28 and conveyed to Li Zongren the various points discussed in Beijing. The domestic suggestion was that, for Li’s safety, he should not hold a press conference in Europe before returning to China. The issuance of a written statement could be considered after his return. Li agreed with this opinion and expressed his intention to return to China via Pakistan on July 20, accompanied by his wife Guo Dejie and Cheng Siyuan. However, Cheng Siyuan suggested that as soon as Li entered the country, he should issue a written statement at the airport and meet with reporters, explaining the reasons for his return and his anti-imperialist and patriotic stance. Our opinion is that two plans can be considered for this. The first plan: Li need not issue a statement immediately upon entering the country; the statement can be issued after consultation upon his return. The second plan: Agree that Li issues a written statement and meets with reporters at the airport immediately upon entering the country, but the draft statement should be agreed upon with the domestic side in advance. We tend to adopt the first plan. Items two and three of this piece are Mao Zedong’s comments and added words, dated July 15, 1965, on the draft telegram from the Central Investigation Department to our Ambassador to Pakistan, Ding Guoyu, concerning the issue of Li Zongren issuing a statement after his return to China. Among them, item three was written after the following passage at the end of the draft telegram: "The draft of Li’s brief statement after returning to China should still be drafted by Li and reported to the domestic side. If Li believes it is necessary to consult after arriving in Shanghai before drafting, it should also be decided by Li."
[3]
The Premier, refers to Zhou Enlai.

It seems that the second plan [1] is somewhat better. There is no harm in agreeing on the draft in advance. Please reconsider.
Premier:
Mao Zedong
July 12

When you go to Shanghai, could you stay a few more days to discuss the draft statement face-to-face with Li [3], and return to Beijing on the same plane.
When Li returns to China, it seems you should go to the airport to welcome him.
Mao Zedong
Morning of July 15

You may stay in Shanghai for a few days, and after agreeing on a brief statement, then come to Beijing.
[1]
Refers to the second plan proposed in the Opinion of the Central Investigation Department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, dated July 9, 1965, concerning issues related to Li Zongren’s return to China.
[2]
Refers to the draft of Li Zongren’s written statement. Li Zongren issued a statement at the Capital Airport upon his arrival in Beijing on July 20, 1965. This statement was published in *Renmin Ribao* on July 21, 1965.
[3]
Li, refers to Li Zongren.