A Group of Comments
on External Propaganda and Foreign Affairs Work
(March 1967 – March 1971)

Since 1967, the great leader Chairman Mao has issued a series of extremely important instructions concerning external propaganda work and foreign affairs work. We must earnestly study and resolutely implement Chairman Mao's instructions. A selection of Chairman Mao's important instructions and revisions on documents and cables from the General Office of the Central Committee, the Military Affairs Group, the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc., is hereby compiled as follows.

(1) On March 20, 1967, Chairman Mao wrote the following instruction on a big-character poster titled "Let Us 'Cure the Sickness to Save the Patient'" written by David Coup, who had been recommended by the Communist Party of Australia (Marxist-Leninist) to visit China, reflecting on the Cultural Revolution in the Xi'an area: "This foreigner is very capable of seeing problems, and his analysis is quite good. After the Premier has read it, send it to the Cultural Revolution Group for their perusal."
In this big-character poster, David Coup analyzed a series of circumstances that had emerged in Xi'an at that time, such as the opposition of two factions, the expulsion of party members by mass rallies, beatings, smashings, lootings, and parading people through the streets. He believed this reflected the influence of "Left" opportunism and manipulation by bad elements. He proposed, "We must clear out those who deliberately try to lead us down the path deviating from the proletarian revolution, and only then can we achieve the triple combination of rebels, revolutionary cadres, and the People's Liberation Army."

(2) On August 14, 1967, Chairman Mao wrote the following instruction on "Sangmugathasan's Letter Concerning the Publication of the Chairman's Internal Talks" [2]: "Comrade Kang Sheng: In such matters, do not blame the comrades who published it." "For ordinary talks, it doesn't matter if they are made public."
Sangmugathasan stated in this letter: "Now, I have been told that the content of the talks (with the Chairman) cannot be made public without consent."

(3) On November 27, 1967, Chairman Mao wrote the following instruction on the Foreign Guests Briefing Report of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee titled "Anzai and Others Believe That Japan Cannot Take the Road of Encircling the Cities from the Countryside" [3]: "Comrade Kang Sheng: This issue merits attention. I believe Anzai's opinion is correct. What is your view? Please inform me."

(4) On December 1, 1967, Comrade Yao Wenyuan [4] conveyed Chairman Mao's instruction on the opinions of Comrades Anzai and others regarding the issue of the path of the Japanese revolution.
Comrade Yao Wenyuan said: First, I convey a piece of news to the comrades (Comrades Anzai Kuraji and others). Our great leader Chairman Mao asked me to send his regards to Comrades Anzai Kuraji and others; Chairman Mao read the Japanese comrades' opinions on whether Japan needs to take the road of encircling the cities from the countryside, which raised the question of whether a passage from Chairman Mao's 1938 work "Problems of War and Strategy" is still valid. Chairman Mao has an instruction on this. I will read the original text of Chairman Mao's instruction here. Chairman Mao said: "I believe the opinions of Comrades Anzai and others are correct. My 1938 exposition on the tasks of proletarian political parties in capitalist countries remains valid." This refers to the issue discussed in the famous article "Problems of War and Strategy" written by Chairman Mao on November 6, 1938. The first paragraph of the first section of this article states: "The central task and the highest form of revolution is to seize political power by armed force, to settle the issue through war. This Marxist-Leninist principle of revolution holds universally, in China and abroad, without exception."
In the second paragraph of the first section, Chairman Mao comprehensively and profoundly analyzed the universal laws of the proletarian revolution in capitalist countries and summarized the experience of armed uprisings by proletarian political parties in capitalist countries. At the end of that paragraph, there is this sentence: "When the time comes for uprising and war, it is again first to occupy the cities and then attack the countryside, and not the other way around." Chairman Mao's statement, "My 1938 exposition on the tasks of proletarian political parties in capitalist countries remains valid," refers to this entire paragraph of the article.

(5) On March 7, 1968, Chairman Mao wrote the following instruction on a request report [5] proposing to paint Chairman Mao's quotations on aircraft intended for foreign aid: "Do not do that; the result would not be good. Countries are different, and methods cannot be uniform."

(6) On March 10, 1968, Chairman Mao made important revisions to the notice [6] on how to successfully hold the 1968 Spring Export Commodities Fair. After the sentence "We must hold high the great red banner of Mao Zedong Thought, give prominence to proletarian politics, and make the propagation of Mao Zedong Thought, the propagation of China's Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, and the great victories of socialist construction the primary task," he added the phrase: "but care should be taken not to impose on others."

(7) On March 12, 1968, Chairman Mao deleted a passage from a request report concerning the handover of a certain foreign-aid project. The original passage was: "During the handover ceremony, we should vigorously propagate the invincible Mao Zedong Thought, explaining that the achievements in aiding X to build the XXXX project [7] are the result of our faithful implementation of the great leader Chairman Mao's teachings on internationalism, a victory of the great Mao Zedong Thought." Chairman Mao wrote the following instruction: "These are impositions on others; do not act in this way."

(8) On March 17, 1968, Chairman Mao wrote the following instruction on the request report [8] concerning a response to criticisms of our external propaganda work by Comrade Wilcox of the New Zealand Communist Party: "I have spoken about this matter many times. External (and internal too) propaganda should be resolutely reformed step by step."

(9) On March 27, 1968, Chairman Mao made important revisions and issued an instruction [9] on the congratulatory message drafted by the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee to the Communist Party of Burma on the 20th anniversary of its armed struggle. Chairman Mao changed "the great victory of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought" to "the great victory of the integration of Marxism-Leninism with the concrete situation in Burma"; and changed the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution "also has great significance for the revolutionary struggle of the oppressed peoples and oppressed nations of the whole world" to "will also have certain significance in certain aspects for the revolutionary struggle of the oppressed peoples and oppressed nations of the whole world."

(10) On March 29, 1968, Chairman Mao wrote the following instruction on the request report [10] concerning the publication of a statement on the 20th anniversary of the armed struggle of the Communist Party of Burma (involving the issue of publishing evaluations of Mao Zedong Thought by fraternal parties in our newspapers and journals): "Generally speaking, we should not interfere in the internal affairs of any foreign party (Marxist-Leninist). How they conduct their propaganda is their own affair. We should pay attention to our own propaganda; we must not boast too much, nor speak inappropriately, leaving an impression as if we are imposing on others."

(11) On April 6, 1968, in a document drafted by the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee and the General Staff Department concerning training assistance for foreign personnel, Chairman Mao deleted the 21 characters "the great teacher of the revolutionary people of the whole world, Chairman Mao, and the invincible Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought" from the phrase "mainly to propagate the great teacher of the revolutionary people of the whole world, Chairman Mao, and the invincible Marxism, Leninism, and Mao Zedong Thought," and issued the instruction: "These empty words should not be used henceforth."

(12) On May 16, 1968, Chairman Mao criticized the use of the formulation "Beijing—the center of world revolution" in a document [11]. Chairman Mao once again pointed out: "Such words should not be spoken by the mouths of Chinese people; this is the erroneous idea of so-called 'taking ourselves as the core'."

(13) On May 29, 1968, Chairman Mao issued important instructions on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' suggestions concerning strengthening the propagation of Chairman Mao's thought and supporting revolutionary mass struggles in Western Europe and North America: "First, care should be taken not to impose on others; second, do not propagate that foreign people's movements are influenced by China, as such propaganda is easily exploited by reactionaries and is detrimental to the people's movements." [12]

(14) On June 12, 1968, a plan for receiving foreign guests originally stipulated that the masses could "spontaneously and individually present Chairman Mao badges" when in contact with the foreign guests. Chairman Mao instructed: "Do not do this."

(15) In July-August 1968, Chairman Mao wrote the following instruction on a request report drafted by the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee regarding the handling of a request from a brotherly party to publish an article of theirs: "A few words deleted." The report mentioned twice the hope that the party would resolve its internal differences "on the principled basis of Marxism, Leninism, and Mao Zedong Thought." In both instances, Chairman Mao deleted the words "and Mao Zedong Thought."

(16) In August 1968, Chairman Mao wrote the following instruction on the report and draft telegram of the Military Affairs Group concerning "Renaming Foreign Aid Military Experts": "The issue of names does not matter greatly; it can be discussed later." "There are many things handed down from the bourgeoisie, such as republic, engineer, etc.—too numerous to change all." "Hold this document for now." [13]

(17) In September 1968, Chairman Mao wrote the following instruction on the initial draft of the *People's Daily* editorial "The Victorious Course of the Revolutionary People of the World" [14]: "Delete some empty words that digress from the main theme. Do not boast about ourselves before foreigners."
The relevant passages from the editorial are as follows (the parts Chairman Mao deleted are underlined with a thick line below; the added parts are marked with emphasis dots below):
On September 18, 1962, Chairman Mao Zedong presented a personal inscription to Japanese worker friends: "So long as it is earnestly realized: integrate the universal truth of Marxism-Leninism with the concrete practice of the Japanese revolution, victory for the Japanese revolution is absolutely beyond doubt." Today marks the sixth anniversary of this glorious inscription. Our newspaper has published the original calligraphy of Chairman Mao's inscription on the front page in a prominent position. This inscription of Chairman Mao's is of extremely great and far-reaching significance, not only for the revolutionary cause of the Japanese people but also for the revolutionary cause of the people of all countries across the world.
Without revolutionary theory, there can be no revolutionary movement. Marxism-Leninism is the crystallization of the most correct and most revolutionary scientific thinking of the world proletariat, a universal truth applicable everywhere. The great and invincible Mao Zedong Thought represents the new development of Marxism-Leninism in the contemporary era. Once the proletariat and the broad revolutionary masses of all countries grasp Marxism, Leninism, and Mao Zedong Thought, they can generate inexhaustible wisdom and strength to propel the revolutionary cause forward victoriously. The integration of Marxism, Leninism, and Mao Zedong Thought with the concrete practice of the revolution in each country is the most fundamental guarantee for the victory of the revolutionary cause of the people of every country.
In leading the Chinese revolution, Chairman Mao has repeatedly taught us: "The universal truth of Marxism must be completely and properly integrated with the concrete practice of the Chinese revolution." "Closely linking the theory of Marxism-Leninism with the practice of the Chinese revolution is the consistent ideological principle of our Party." This is exactly what the Communist Party of China has done. Once the universal truth of Marxism-Leninism integrates with the practical revolutionary struggle of the Chinese proletariat and the broad masses, it becomes the weapon with which the Chinese people triumph in every battle.
Comrade Mao Zedong vividly likened the matter of linking theory with practice to "shooting the arrow at the target." It was precisely by using the "arrow" of Marxism-Leninism to shoot at the "target" of the Chinese revolution that Comrade Mao Zedong solved the entire set of problems concerning theory, line, principles, policies, and strategy for China's democratic revolution, socialist revolution, and the continuation of the revolution under the dictatorship of the proletariat, thus leading the Chinese revolution from victory to victory. Comrade Mao Zedong has ingeniously, creatively, and comprehensively inherited, defended, and developed Marxism-Leninism, elevating Marxism-Leninism to a new stage. Comrade Mao Zedong is a great exemplar of integrating theory with practice.
This principle—integrating Marxism-Leninism with the concrete practice of the revolution in one's own country—applies to the Chinese revolution and also to the revolution in Japan and in all countries. That is to say, the proletarian political parties of each country must, on the one hand, uphold the universal truth of Marxism-Leninism, and on the other hand, proceed from actual life, maintain close ties with the masses, constantly sum up the experience of the masses' struggles, and independently formulate and implement policies and strategies suited to their own country's conditions. The Khrushchev revisionist clique, under the pretext of "creatively developing Marxism-Leninism," abandoned the universal truth of Marxism-Leninism. That is thoroughgoing opportunism, i.e., modern revisionism!
The Japanese Communist Party Miyamoto [15] revisionist renegade clique uses the pretext of Japan's different "domestic and international conditions" to flaunt so-called "independence and autonomy," but this is all nonsense. They pay lip service to Marxism-Leninism, but what they vigorously attack and oppose is precisely the most fundamental essence of Marxism-Leninism. They spare no effort to...

Distorting and emasculating Marxism-Leninism, and frenziedly attacking the great Mao Zedong Thought.
They oppose violent revolution, oppose the seizure of power by armed force, advocate so-called "peaceful revolution," and promote the so-called "parliamentary road." In essence, this means rejecting revolution, betraying revolution, and opposing revolution. They are a gang of outright shameful traitors to Marxism-Leninism and shameful traitors to the revolutionary cause of Japan.

Today, the revolutionary struggle of the Japanese people is surging forward vigorously. Mao Zedong Thought is spreading ever more widely in Japan. The revolutionary consciousness of the Japanese people is steadily rising, and the genuine Marxist-Leninist left-wing ranks are growing and strengthening with each passing day. The proletarian revolutionaries and broad revolutionary masses of Japan are rising up against the Miyamoto revisionist clique, wielding genuine Marxism, Leninism, and Mao Zedong Thought as powerful weapons in their struggle against U.S. imperialism, against the Japanese monopoly bourgeoisie, and against modern revisionism. The situation for the Japanese revolution is becoming increasingly favorable. The proletarian revolutionaries of Japan recognize that an honorable and serious task before them is to further earnestly and concretely integrate genuine Marxism, Leninism, and Mao Zedong Thought with the practice of the Japanese people's revolutionary struggle, to proceed from the specific conditions of Japan, to resolve a series of strategic and tactical issues for the Japanese revolution, and to continuously push the Japanese revolution forward. The process by which the Japanese revolution achieves victory will inevitably be a process of the ever-closer integration of Marxism, Leninism, and Mao Zedong Thought with the concrete practice of the Japanese revolution.

We are convinced that a genuine revolutionary Japanese party armed with Marxism, Leninism, and Mao Zedong Thought will certainly be born in the fierce flames of revolutionary struggle. It will lead the Japanese proletariat and the broad masses of the people, through protracted and tortuous struggles, to overcome all difficulties and obstacles and win the final victory of the revolution.
Our era is a new era with Mao Zedong Thought as its great banner; it is

a new era of integrating great Mao Zedong Thought with the revolutionary practice of various countries. Mao Zedong Thought is spreading widely across Asia, Africa, Latin America, and throughout the world. The people's revolution guided by Mao Zedong Thought is the locomotive of historical progress. Under the brilliant radiance of great Marxism, Leninism, and Mao Zedong Thought, the people of all countries will surely continue to forge ahead courageously along the course toward victory!
(18) In September 1968, Chairman Mao issued instructions on the "Slogans for Celebrating the 19th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China (Draft for Review)" drafted by the Central Cultural Revolution Group: "Remove item 11; one should not use slogans issued in one's own name to praise oneself." [16]
Respectfully!"
Item 11 of the draft for review read: "Salute the Central Cultural Revolution Group, which has performed outstanding deeds of merit!
(19) In September 1968, the original text of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' "Request for Instructions on the Reception Plan for the Friendly Delegation of the Pakistani Government Visiting China" included the phrase "through arranged visits and tours, prominently propagate great Mao Zedong Thought and Chairman Mao's series of latest instructions, our overall victory in the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, and the excellent situation in industrial and agricultural production." Chairman Mao deleted the sentence "great Mao Zedong Thought and Chairman Mao's series of latest instructions" and instructed: "These matters should not be handled in this way."
From the nineteen "Slogans for Welcoming (and Seeing Off) the Friendly Delegation of the Pakistani Government" attached to the original text, Chairman Mao noted: "Remove three items" (namely: 17. Long live the victory of Chairman Mao's proletarian revolutionary line! 18. Long live invincible Marxism, Leninism, and Mao Zedong Thought! 19. Long live Chairman Mao! Long live! Long, long live!).
(20) In January 1969, Chairman Mao issued instructions on the commentary article by the *People's Daily* and *Red Flag* magazine "A Desperate Self-Confession ——— Commentary on Nixon's 'Inaugural Address' and the Shameless Flattery of the Soviet Revisionist Renegade Clique" [17]: "Publish as is. Nixon's speech should also be published in the newspapers [18]."
(21) In May 1969, Chairman Mao issued instructions on the draft statement of the Government of the People's Republic of China dated May 24 [19]: "May be used. Slightly revised."
In the sentence of the draft statement, "The Chinese Government proposes that the two sides agree through diplomatic channels on a date for holding Sino-Soviet boundary negotiations," Chairman Mao added the words "and venue" after "date." In the passage, "If the Soviet Government believes that the Chinese Government's attitude of peacefully resolving the boundary issue is a sign of weakness that can be bullied, and that it can use a policy of nuclear blackmail to intimidate the Chinese people and use war to realize its territorial claims against China, then it has completely miscalculated. The 700 million Chinese people, armed with Mao Zedong Thought and tempered in the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, are not to be trifled with," he changed "are not to be trifled with" to "are not to be bullied," and added the sentence "We will not attack unless we are attacked; if we are attacked, we will certainly counterattack."
(22) In June 1969, Chairman Mao issued instructions on the editorial of the *People's Daily*, *Red Flag* magazine, and *Liberation Army Daily*, "Long Live the Communist Party of China ——— In Commemoration of the 48th Anniversary of the Birth of the Communist Party of China" [20]: "May be published."
In the second paragraph of the editorial, which read, "Over the past twenty years, we have also achieved a series of great victories in socialist revolution and socialist construction, transforming a poor and backward old China into a prosperous and flourishing powerful socialist country," Chairman Mao added the four characters "有了初步" (meaning "initially" or "preliminarily") before "prosperous and flourishing," and changed "powerful country" to "nation." Chairman Mao also instructed: "Please note: henceforth, do not engage in this kind of self-congratulation that does not conform to reality."
(23) The General Secretary and others of a certain Latin American Communist Party sent four letters to our Party Central Committee and Comrade Lin Biao [21] from March to December 1969, admitting that their past actions of following the Soviet revisionists in opposing China were mistaken, and requesting the "restoration of relations between the two parties." On January 12, 1970, Chairman Mao issued instructions on the document copied and printed by the International Liaison Department containing these letters: "Comrade Lin Biao: These letters appear to harbor no ill intent. They have been abandoned and are looking for a way out. Please forward this to Comrade Kang Sheng for consideration as to whether we may establish contact with them."
(24) In September 1969, Chairman Mao revised a passage in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' draft "Telegram Expressing Thanks and Support for Rallies Organized by Local Chapters of the Japan-China Friendship Association (Orthodox) to Celebrate Our National Day." The original passage stated, "Over the past twenty years, under the wise leadership of our great leader Chairman Mao, the great victories won by the Chinese people in the cause of socialist revolution and socialist construction, and especially during the three years of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution, have brought earth-shaking changes to our country." Chairman Mao changed "have brought earth-shaking changes to our country" to "have brought significant changes to the face of our country."
(25) On June 3, 1970, the Red Cross Society of China submitted a "Request for Instructions on Relief for the Peru Earthquake," proposing to send a message of condolences in its name and donate 50,000 yuan in cash to the Peruvian Red Cross.
On June 7, 1970, Chairman Mao gave a verbal instruction that the 50,000 yuan relief for Peru was too little. He noted that 1 million yuan had been given in relief to Romania, and since Peru had more fatalities than Romania, could Peru be given 1 million or 1.5 million yuan in relief? He asked the Premier to decide.
(26) In June 1970, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a "Request for Instructions on Our Relief for Residents of Flood-Stricken Areas in Hungary," proposed that our Red Cross donate 150,000 yuan in cash. Chairman Mao instructed: "Seems too little; 500,000 yuan may be donated, equivalent to half of the amount given to Romania."
(27) In September 1970, Chairman Mao, on the draft congratulatory telegram from our Party Central Committee on the 25th anniversary of the founding of the Korean Workers' Party drafted by the International Liaison Department, crossed out the five characters "毛泽东思想" (Mao Zedong Thought) in the phrase "all Party members of the Communist Party of China and the Chinese people, tempered in the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and armed with Marxism, Leninism, and Mao Zedong Thought."
(28) In October 1970, Chairman Mao made revisions to the draft reply letter drafted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to Narita Tomomi [22] of the Japanese Socialist Party. The original draft reply stated, "Friends of the Socialist Party should further inherit and carry forward the spirit of Asanuma [23] and wage a struggle against U.S. imperialism, the common enemy of the Chinese and Japanese peoples, along with its partners, lackeys, and accomplices. If you agree with this view, we welcome a delegation of the Japanese Socialist Party to visit China in mid-October for friendly exchanges." Chairman Mao crossed out the characters "更应" (should further) in "Friends of the Socialist Party should further inherit and carry forward," and changed "If you agree with this view, we welcome..." to "On this basis, we welcome..."
(29) In November 1970, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in a "Report Requesting Instructions on the Issue of Condolences and Donations for the Five Disaster-Stricken Provinces in Southern Vietnam," proposed donating materials worth 2 million yuan in the name of the Red Cross Society of China to the Liberation Red Cross of South Vietnam. Chairman Mao instructed: "It is appropriate to increase the amount to 5 million."
(30) On December 6, 1970, Chairman Mao issued instructions on the International Liaison Department's "Request for Instructions on Inviting a Delegation of the 'Communist Unity Movement (Marxist-Leninist)' of the Netherlands to Visit China": "As for all foreigners, do not demand that they accept the Chinese way of thinking; only demand that they accept the integration of the universal truth of Marxism-Leninism with the concrete practice of the revolution in their own country. This is a basic principle. I have reiterated this many times. As for the fact that, besides Marxism-Leninism, they may still be mixed with some other undesirable ideas, they will come to realize this themselves; we need not treat it as a serious issue in conversations with foreign comrades. One need only observe how our own Party's history went through the lessons of many erroneous lines before gradually getting onto the right track, and that even now there are still problems — namely, great-power chauvinism both internally and externally, which must be overcome — to understand this." [24]
(31) In February 1971, the Tourism Administration, in its "Report Requesting Instructions on Receiving Foreigners Traveling to China in 1971," stated that it planned to receive 800 to 1,000 foreigners traveling to China in 1971, with the target group primarily consisting of leftists and friendly workers, peasants, students, and faculty, and a planned, selective reception of a small number of upper-level friendly individuals. Chairman Mao instructed: "The number may be slightly increased. A few rightists may also come."
(32) In February 1971, in the fourth item of *Briefing on Diplomatic Activities*, Issue No. 29, compiled and printed by the General Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, titled "Some Reactions During the Visit to Other Localities by Garcia, Chargé d'Affaires ad interim of Cuba in China," it was noted that while visiting Jinggangshan, Garcia raised the point that the guide omitted mention of the Nanchang Uprising and the history of Comrade Zhu De going to Jinggangshan. He commented that these two historical episodes should be mentioned; while it might be easy for Chinese people to understand their omission, it would be difficult for foreigners. Mentioning these two historical facts not only would not damage the great image of Chairman Mao, but on the contrary, by understanding the various erroneous lines of that time, people would better appreciate the correctness of Chairman Mao's line. Regarding this, Chairman Mao instructed: "Item (4) is correct; there should be a proper explanation of the Nanchang Uprising and the joining of the two armies."
(33) On March 15, 1971, Premier Zhou, in a report to Chairman Mao, stated that our table tennis team still planned to go to Nagoya, Japan, to participate in the 31st World Table Tennis Championships. Upon arrival in Japan, they would support the Royal Government of National Union of Cambodia in not recognizing the team of the Lon Nol [25] clique as legitimate and would advocate for its expulsion, and would not participate in matches against the team sent by the South

[The same attitude is adopted by our] teams. Regarding Israel, we also asked about the attitudes of the United Arab Republic and Syria. If it doesn't work out, avoid competing with them. If our team does go, we must prepare all kinds of security precautions. [26] Chairman Mao's instruction: "Proceed as approved. Our team should go, and be prepared for several people to die. It would be better if no one dies. One must fear neither hardship nor death."

**Notes**
Printed based on documents issued by the General Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
[1] From May 21 to June 23, 1972, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China held a reporting meeting in Beijing on criticizing Lin Biao and rectifying the style of work. This document is the sixth of the meeting documents issued by the General Office of the Central Committee on June 8. The parts printed in Song typeface are Mao Zedong's comments and revisions. On July 12, 1968, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and the Central Cultural Revolution Group had issued items (5) to (10), (13), and (14) of this document as a Central Committee document, pointing out in the notice: "In recent months, Chairman Mao has issued extremely important and serious instructions on external propaganda work. These multiple instructions from Chairman Mao are now issued to you, in the hope that you will convey them among leading revolutionary cadres in the Party, government, military, and mass organizations, as well as cadres involved in foreign affairs work. You must study them earnestly, comprehend them deeply, understand them correctly, and implement them resolutely. You must use Chairman Mao's instructions as a weapon to examine external propaganda work, affirm achievements, correct shortcomings, summarize experience, and propose concrete measures and methods for improvement. You must hold still higher the great red banner of Mao Zedong Thought and make external propaganda work more extensive and profound, more practical, more scientific, and more effective."

[2] This refers to a letter dated July 2, 1967, from N. Sanmugathasan, Member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of the Secretariat of the Central Committee of the Ceylon Communist Party, to Sidney Rittenberg, an American expert working at the China Broadcasting Administration. In the letter, he expressed regret over revealing the content of his conversation with Mao Zedong in an airport interview upon returning from his visit to China and in an article published after his return. The letter stated that this was "completely unintentional" and that "I shall be very grateful if you could find time to meet Comrade Kang Sheng or Comrade Liu Ningyi and accurately explain the circumstances that led to this error." Kang Sheng was then a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Liu Ningyi was then Acting Minister of the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee.

[3] This briefing, compiled and printed by the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee, stated that Kuraji Anzai and two others, editors of the Japanese left-wing theoretical journal "Revolutionary Warrior," expressed the following views when studying the issue of "People's War": (1) In Section One of "Problems of War and Strategy" (November 1938), Chairman Mao discussed the tasks of proletarian parties in capitalist countries and the issue of armed struggle in these countries. If it is said that capitalist countries like Japan should take the path of the countryside surrounding the cities, that would imply that this passage of Chairman Mao's is outdated and needs to be revised. The universal significance of the Chinese path should be understood on the basis of this passage by Chairman Mao, meaning the universal significance referred to here does not include capitalist countries like Japan. (2) In countries where the working class holds the advantage, the role of the working class should be given primary importance. (3) In Japan, the cities are the weak links of enemy rule, while the countryside is not a weak link. (4) At present, Japan is in the stage of education and organizational preparation for armed struggle, not the stage of carrying out armed struggle, nor is it the opportune moment for armed uprising. (5) We do not understand why comrades returning to Japan from China all say that Japan must take the path of the countryside surrounding the cities. Various hints from some Chinese comrades that Japan should take the path of the countryside surrounding the cities run counter to Mao Zedong Thought. (6) Overemphasizing the universal worldwide significance of China's path of the countryside surrounding the cities is in effect negating the path of the October Revolution from city to countryside. It cannot be said that the path of the October Revolution has only particular significance.

[4] Yao Wenyuan was then a member of the Central Cultural Revolution Group of the CPC Central Committee.

[5] This refers to the report submitted on February 13, 1968, by the Air Force Command of the Chinese People's Liberation Army to the General Staff Headquarters on the issue of aiding Vietnam. The report suggested that since the aircraft provided as aid to Vietnam would be used within China for a period of time, they should, like aircraft used by our Air Force, be painted with Chairman Mao's quotations and have Chairman Mao badges inlaid in the cockpit. After the completion of modification training, they would be handed over to the Vietnamese side in their original condition.

[6] This refers to the draft notice submitted for review on March 8, 1968, from the Central Committee of the CPC, the State Council, the Central Military Commission, and the Central Cultural Revolution Group concerning the successful convening of the Spring 1968 Export Commodities Fair.

[7] As in the original text of the document issued by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee on June 8, 1972.

[8] This report, addressed to Mao Zedong on March 16, 1968, by Kang Sheng (Advisor to the Central Cultural Revolution Group), Chen Boda (Head of the Central Cultural Revolution Group), Jiang Qing (Deputy Head of the Central Cultural Revolution Group), and Yao Wenyuan (Member of the Central Cultural Revolution Group), stated that during a visit by V.G. Wilcox, General Secretary of the Communist Party of New Zealand, in March 1967, he criticized China's external propaganda work. He felt that while the content of our external English-language propaganda was very good, the language and forms used were incompatible with the masses in English-speaking countries and easily caused aversion. The main reasons were the lack of investigation and research into the target audience, unclear explanation of the reported facts and backgrounds, lengthy and cumbersome writing, excessive adjectives, poor translation quality, and difficulty for foreigners to understand and accept. In November 1967, he also entrusted E.F. Hill, Chairman of the Communist Party of Australia (Marxist-Leninist), who was visiting China, to convey his opinions on China's external propaganda work, even stating that "Chinese comrades should be very careful to guard against great-power chauvinism." Hill opposed Wilcox's views. He believed that the issues raised by Wilcox were essentially political and ideological, not merely issues of propaganda form. The central issue was how Mao Zedong's role in the history of the development of Marxism-Leninism should be evaluated. He believed that in order to propagate that Mao Zedong had developed Marxism-Leninism to a new stage, the propaganda must be intensely, consistently, and repeatedly carried out. This was highly necessary for other parts of the world, especially the Western world. Kang Sheng and the others stated in their report that in response to their opinions, they primarily replied with three points: 1. We are willing to listen to criticisms from fraternal parties regarding shortcomings and errors in our work. 2. Concerning the evaluation of Mao Zedong Thought, we are very restrained. Not only is it not great-power chauvinism, but we have been excessively restrained, and the masses have considerable complaints. We fully agree with Comrade Hill's opinion on the evaluation and propagation of Mao Zedong Thought. 3. In terms of propaganda form and language, our work indeed has some shortcomings and problems. Improving external propaganda work requires time and a process.

[9] The full text of Mao Zedong's instruction on this draft congratulatory message is: "There are revisions. Note: In the future, do not mention the so-called Mao Zedong Thought in any external documents or articles, engaging in self-glorification and imposing it on others. Mao Zedong, March 27, 1968."

[10] Kang Sheng's request-for-instructions report to Mao Zedong on March 28, 1968, stated that the statement of the Communist Party of Burma requested publication in "People's Daily." It was inconvenient for us to alter it for them, nor had they solicited our opinions. This was a document from the Central Committee of a fraternal party, and they themselves would refer to Mao Zedong Thought in it domestically. Requesting them to change it might cause misunderstanding, but not publishing it was also problematic. He asked for the Chairman's instruction on whether it could be published. This statement was subsequently published in its original text in "People's Daily" on March 29, 1968. In addition to the passage cited in item (10) of this document, Mao Zedong's comment on Kang Sheng's request-for-instructions report also included a sentence preceding "generally speaking": "Please use your discretion on these materials; I will not review them."

[11] This refers to the request-for-instructions report submitted on May 14, 1968, by the Military Control Group for the National Defense Industry of the Chinese People's Liberation Army to the Central Committee of the CPC and the Central Cultural Revolution Group. The report stated that an office of the Seventh Ministry of Machine Building was "currently holding the 415 meeting in the center of world revolution - Beijing," and most of the comrades attending the meeting came from all over the motherland, earnestly requesting a meeting with Chairman Mao. When reviewing the report, Mao Zedong drew two lines under "the center of world revolution - Beijing" and wrote this comment. In addition to the sentence quoted in item (12) of this document, this comment was immediately followed by another sentence: "Comrade Kang should raise this matter at the meeting of the leading group and discuss measures." On May 18, 1968, the Central Committee of the CPC and the Central Cultural Revolution Group issued an "Important Notice" approved by Mao Zedong. The notice pointed out: "Chairman Mao's criticism should arouse the attention of Party, government, military, and mass organizations at all levels, as well as embassies abroad." "Henceforth, whether in newspapers and periodicals (including various tabloids), in internal documents, in various speeches, and especially when receiving foreign guests, the phrase 'the center of world revolution' must no longer be used. The erroneous thinking of 'taking ourselves as the core' should be constantly guarded against and criticized."

[12] The instruction issued by the Central Committee of the CPC and the Central Cultural Revolution Group on June 8, 1968, when transmitting this instruction of Mao Zedong, pointed out: "Materials on the impact of China's Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution on the international revolutionary movement, provided by foreigners, may be published by Xinhua News Agency in the internal 'Reference Materials'."

[13] The Administrative Group of the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee, in a report written to Premier Zhou Enlai of the State Council and others on July 8, 1968, stated that our military personnel abroad were still called "military experts." "Military experts" was a term used in capitalist society for bourgeois "academic authorities in military affairs," which was incompatible with the status of our military personnel assisting foreign countries under Chairman Mao's leadership. They recommended changing the designation "military expert group" to "military working group," with personnel referred to as group leader, instructor, and translator according to their administrative duties and work nature. If there was a "chief expert," the title would be changed to working group leader, under which various military working sub-groups would be placed. The first instruction in item (16) of this document was written on this report. On August 6, the Administrative Group of the Central Military Commission wrote another report to Mao Zedong and others, recommending changing the designation "military expert group" to "military group." The third instruction in item (16) is written on the Administrative Group's report dated August 6. The second instruction in item (16) is written on the envelope of the August 6 report. On this envelope, Mao Zedong also wrote: "Read again by Vice Chairman Lin and the Premier."

[14] This draft editorial, after being revised by Mao Zedong, was published in "People's Daily" on September 18, 1968.

[15] Miyamoto, referring to Kenji Miyamoto, then General Secretary of the Japanese Communist Party.

[16] The draft slogans and calls titled "Celebrating the 19th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China," totaling thirty items, were submitted for review on September 25, 1968, by Zhou Enlai and others, to be issued in the name of the Central Committee of the CPC and the Central Cultural Revolution Group. When reviewing them, Mao Zedong deleted the 11th item and wrote this comment. On September 26, Zhou Enlai wrote a letter to Mao Zedong, stating: "The Chairman's instruction on the 'Slogans and Calls for Celebrating the 19th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China' has been circulated among the comrades in the Central Cultural Revolution Group's leading body meeting." "The current approach is, first, to comply with the Chairman's instruction and remove this slogan, promptly issuing the Central Committee notice. Second, is it possible to issue this notice solely in the name of the Central Committee of the CPC while retaining item 11 to adapt to and coordinate with the propaganda for this National Day?" When reviewing this letter, Mao Zedong again instructed: "It is better to remove item 11." On September 28, the Central Committee of the CPC and the Central Cultural Revolution Group issued a notice to the revolutionary committees of all provinces, cities, and autonomous regions, containing a total of twenty-nine slogans and calls, with item 11 from the draft submitted for review deleted.

[17] This article was published in "People's Daily" on January 28, 1969.

Nixon, then President of the United States.
(18) On January 28, 1969, *Renmin Ribao* (People’s Daily) published the full text of Nixon’s January 20 inaugural address under the title “A Superb Piece of Negative Teaching Material: The ‘Inaugural Address’ of the New Chieftain of U.S. Imperialism, Nixon.”
(19) This draft statement, sent by Zhou Enlai to Mao Zedong and others for review on May 19, 1969, was intended as a reply to the Soviet government’s statement of March 29. It consisted of six parts: 1. Zhenbao Island is Chinese territory, and the Zhenbao Island incident was deliberately provoked by the Soviet government. 2. The treaties concerning the current Sino-Soviet boundary are all unequal treaties imposed on China by tsarist Russian imperialism. 3. The fact that a boundary question exists between China and the Soviet Union cannot be denied. 4. The Soviet government has disrupted the status quo of the boundary and provoked border conflicts. 5. It is the Soviet government that has expanded its territory everywhere. 6. The Chinese government advocates peaceful negotiations and opposes resorting to force. This statement was published in *Renmin Ribao* on May 25, 1969.
(20) This editorial was published on July 1, 1969, in *Renmin Ribao*, *Hongqi* (Red Flag) magazine, and *Jiefangjun Bao* (PLA Daily).
(21) Lin Biao, then Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
(22) Narita Tomomi, then Chairman of the Japan Socialist Party.
(23) Asanuma, namely Asanuma Inejirō, served as Secretary-General of the Japan Socialist Party from 1955 to 1960. In March 1959, he led a Socialist Party goodwill delegation to visit China and delivered a speech at the auditorium of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference in Beijing, in which he stated that “U.S. imperialism is the common enemy of the people of Japan and China,” sparking a great reaction across various sectors in Japan. In March 1960, he became Chairman of the Japan Socialist Party. On October 12 of the same year, while speaking at a three-party leaders’ speech meeting at Hibiya Public Hall in Tokyo, he was assassinated.
(24) In 1971, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China issued this written comment as the third of the *Eight Important Documents Recently Endorsed by Chairman Mao and Vice Chairman Lin*; in 1994, it was included in the *Selected Diplomatic Writings of Mao Zedong*.

--- Notes

(25) Lon Nol, then Prime Minister, Minister of Defense, and four-star general and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the “Khmer Republic.”
(26) Zhou Enlai’s report also mentioned that upon learning that the Chinese table tennis team planned to participate in the tournament, the Japanese public gave them a warm welcome, and leftist groups organized more than five hundred people to protect the team; however, rightist groups also sent people to Nagoya in an attempt to provoke incidents. The Japanese government was extremely vexed and had already dispatched a large number of police to guard the hotel where the Chinese team was staying in advance. This would become a serious international struggle. The Chinese table tennis team later took part in this World Table Tennis Championships, winning the men’s team championship and placing as runner-up in the women’s team event.