Approval on the Draft Decision of the Central Committee Concerning the Restoration of Comrade Deng Xiaoping's Party Organizational Life and His Post as Vice Premier of the State Council Submitted by Zhou Enlai for Review

(March 1973)

Agreed.

Note
Printed based on Mao Zedong's manuscript.
〔1〕 On March 9, 1973, Zhou Enlai submitted a report to Mao Zedong stating: "Regarding the restoration of Comrade Deng Xiaoping's post as Vice Premier of the State Council, the Political Bureau has discussed it several times in meetings and reported on it during sessions held at the Chairman's residence." "The Political Bureau deems it necessary for the Central Committee to issue a decision, to be distributed down to Party committees at the county and regimental levels." The draft decision of the Central Committee submitted by Zhou Enlai for review stated that on August 14, 1972, Chairman Mao made an important directive on a letter written by Comrade Deng Xiaoping to the Chairman (see page 308 of this volume). The Political Bureau of the Central Committee earnestly discussed Chairman Mao's directive and the issue of Comrade Deng Xiaoping and decided: "Restore Comrade Deng Xiaoping's Party organizational life, restore his post as Vice Premier of the State Council, and assign him appropriate work by the State Council." Mao Zedong wrote this approval after reading it. On March 10, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China formally issued this decision. On December 12, 1973, Mao Zedong stated at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee: Comrade Ye Jianying and I have invited Comrade Deng Xiaoping to join the Military Commission as a member. Whether he should become a member of the Political Bureau will be reported for confirmation at the Second Plenary Session of the Central Committee later. On December 14, during a conversation with relevant comrades of the Political Bureau, Mao Zedong further remarked: Now, we have invited a military strategist, named Deng Xiaoping. Issue a notice appointing him as a member of the Political Bureau and a member of the Military Commission. The Political Bureau oversees everything—Party, government, military, civilian affairs, academia, east, west, south, north, and center. I think the Political Bureau should add a secretary-general. If you don't want that title, then serve as chief of staff. On December 15, during a conversation with relevant comrades of the Political Bureau and leading officials of the Beijing, Shenyang, Jinan, and Wuhan military regions, Mao Zedong introduced Deng Xiaoping to them, saying: We have now invited a chief of the general staff. As for him, some people fear him, but he handles matters with relative decisiveness. His life is probably 70 percent achievements and 30 percent shortcomings. Your old superior, I have invited him back, the Political Bureau has invited him back—it is not I alone who have invited him back. He also said to Deng Xiaoping: As for you, some people are a bit afraid of you. I give you two phrases: softness concealing firmness, a needle hidden in cotton. Be outwardly amiable, but inwardly a steel company. Gradually correct past shortcomings. On December 22, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China issued a notice regarding the decision for Deng Xiaoping to serve as a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee and a member of the Military Commission of the Central Committee, participating in the leadership work of the Central Committee and the Military Commission. On January 5, 1975, the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China issued Document No. 1, appointing Deng Xiaoping as Vice Chairman of the Military Commission of the Central Committee and concurrently Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army. From January 8 to 10, the Second Plenary Session of the Tenth Central Committee of the Communist Party of China was held in Beijing. The session confirmed Deng Xiaoping as a member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee and elected him as Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee. From January 13 to 17, the First Session of the Fourth National People's Congress held in Beijing appointed Deng Xiaoping as Vice Premier of the State Council upon the proposal of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.