Trial implementation is permissible.

**Note**

**Commentary on Wang Jiaxiang’s Letter**
(December 1972)

(1)
Printed from the manuscript of Mao Zedong.

〔1〕Wang Jiaxiang, formerly a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, secretary of the Central Secretariat, and head of the International Liaison Department of the Central Committee, was persecuted during the “Cultural Revolution.” On December 10, 1972, he wrote a letter to Zhou Enlai, stating: I would like to do a little work. Although I have been ill for a long time and my hearing is very poor, my mental faculties can still be used for several hours each day, and I still retain some reading ability. After liberation, I worked for a period in foreign affairs, but I am completely unfamiliar with other work departments. Therefore, I am writing to request that the Premier, amidst his myriad pressing tasks, consider my aforementioned circumstances and see whether it is possible to assign me a little work in foreign affairs research and investigation. On December 18, Zhou Enlai forwarded this letter to Mao Zedong, noting: “In my opinion, Comrade Jiaxiang can undertake foreign affairs research and investigation work. If the Chairman agrees, please provide instructions so that I may report to the Central Committee.” Mao Zedong’s commentary was written on the letter forwarded by Zhou Enlai. In August 1973, Wang Jiaxiang was elected a member of the Central Committee at the Tenth National Congress of the Communist Party of China.