Comrade Qi Benyu [2]:
I've read it and find it very well written. There are some minor revisions [3] I'd like to make,
and I'm not sure if they're appropriate. Please discuss this with the comrades.
Mao Zedong
23 March
The Red Lanterns were also organizations of young women from many parts of northern
China at the time. They organized themselves in a very disciplined manner, practiced martial
arts, and opposed imperialism and its running dogs. A few more words might be added here
[4].
Please check whether it is Qiao or Rao [5].
Did the Chinese people organize the Boxer Rebellion and flee to the imperialist countries of
Europe, America, and Japan to rebel and commit "murder and arson"? Or did the imperialist
countries invade China, oppress, and exploit the Chinese people, thereby inspiring the
Chinese people to rise up against imperialism and its running dogs and corrupt officials in
China? This is a matter of right and wrong that must be debated clearly.

[1] Sections 1 through 3 contain Mao Zedong's comments on the draft of this article, which
was submitted for review. Section 4 contains a paragraph Mao added to the article. This
article was later published in the fifth issue of Red Flag magazine, published on March 30,
1967, and was reprinted in major newspapers such as the People's Daily.
[2] Qi Benyu was then a member of the Cultural Revolution Group of the Central Committee
of the Communist Party of China and deputy editor-in-chief of Red Flag magazine.
[3] Mao Zedong's revisions to Qi Benyu's article, in addition to the four revisions in this
article, also included deleting the four modifiers before "Chairman Mao" on page two: "our
great teacher, great leader, great commander, great helmsman." He also made some minor
revisions to individual words.



[4] In one passage, Qi Benyu's draft of his article quoted a Boxer song: "Red lanterns
illuminate the Boxers, like brothers and sisters, rejoicing in joy, united in purpose, to kill the
foreign officials." Next to it, Mao Zedong wrote this comment. According to Mao Zedong's
comments, Qi Benyu added a paragraph before and after the ballad: "During the Boxer
Rebellion, young people were the most vibrant and active force. They made immortal
contributions in this great revolutionary movement. The 'Red Lanterns,' which shocked
China and the world, were organizations of young women from many parts of northern
China at the time. They organized themselves with great discipline, practiced martial arts,
and defended the motherland. They wore red clothes, red hats, carried red lanterns, and red
guns. They fought on the front lines and eliminated traitors in the rear. They actively
participated in the Boxer uprising, resolutely opposing imperialism and its running dogs, and
demonstrated the revolutionary heroism of young Chinese women in their fight against
imperialism and feudalism!" This ballad vividly reflects the unwavering resolve of the 'Red
Lanterns' in their fight against imperialism. Stories of the 'Red Lanterns' heroic struggle have
been widely circulated among the people. They say, 'The daughters of the Red Lanterns,
once in battle, are ready to die. Amidst the hail of bullets, they fear nothing but falling
behind.' "Since the Daoguang and Xianfeng eras, China has fought coastal defenses against
barbarians both by land and sea, and has been completely routed." "Having these young
men and women revitalize our tired spirits will not only chill the hearts of other nations, but
also boost the morale of the Central Plains."
[5] In the draft of Qi Benyu's article, the following passage appears: "The film also slanders
the Boxers as tools of the feudal rulers. It uses the voice of Minister Zhao Shurao to say:
'Please, Empress Dowager, issue an order to organize the Boxers into a righteous army, wipe
out the foreigners, establish prestige throughout the world, and the fate of the Qing Dynasty
depends on this one move.'" Mao Zedong drew a line under the character "Rao" in "Zhao
Shurao" and wrote this comment. Zhao Shurao should be Zhao Shuqiao.