This malady exists everywhere, not just in isolated individuals. It is advisable to study ways to correct it.

Mao Zedong
73, 7, 5
[1] On June 25, 1973, Zhou Enlai, acting on Mao Zedong's instructions, stated during a meeting with Bruce, the head of the U.S. Liaison Office in China, that we hold a skeptical attitude toward the nuclear agreement signed between the United States and the Soviet Union, and that the Chinese government still adheres to the position of the Shanghai Communiqué. History shows that such treaties are unreliable, and the current visit of the Soviet leader to the United States gives the impression that the two great powers are dominating the world. We are not afraid of isolation. First, we do not lose our stance, and at the same time, we are realists. Doing one practical thing is better than speaking many empty words. On the 26th, after reading the summary of Zhou Enlai's conversation, Mao Zedong said: "Now our backbone is stiffened, and Bruce will feel comfortable." On the 28th, Issue No. 153 of the internal publication of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, *New Developments*, carried an article titled "Preliminary Views on the Nixon-Brezhnev Talks." The article analyzed and commented on the world situation following the signing of the U.S.-Soviet agreement on preventing nuclear war, arguing that the talks were characterized by "greater deception" and "a stronger atmosphere of U.S.-Soviet domination of the world." This article was criticized by Mao Zedong. On July 3, Zhou Enlai wrote a letter to the comrades of the Party core group of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the heads of the U.S. Affairs Group, requesting the withdrawal of that issue of *New Developments*, and stated: "The main responsibility for this mistake lies with me." "I hope you will also take this as a lesson, and develop the enthusiasm for delving into discussions. Sometimes you may also ask me to convene small meetings to exchange views. Do not worry about my being busy; for major matters, minor matters should be set aside. You should learn from the Chairman's working style."

A comment written on a letter from Zhou Enlai to the Party core group of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the U.S. Affairs Group
On July 4, Mao Zedong summoned Zhang Chunqiao, Wang Hongwen, and others for a talk, once again criticizing the article in *New Developments* for its view of the world situation. He pointed out: Recently, there have been several issues in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that are not very satisfactory. I speak of great turbulence, great division, and great realignment, but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs suddenly comes up with something about great deception and great domination. In terms of ideological method, they look at the surface and not the essence. "The conclusion is four lines: Major issues are not discussed, while minor matters are sent in daily. If this tune is not changed, it will inevitably lead to revisionism. In the future, if revisionism emerges, do not say I did not warn you beforehand." On July 5, he wrote this comment on Zhou Enlai's letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. On July 15, Zhou Enlai submitted the article drafted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, "What Was Wrong with Issue No. 153 of *New Developments*?" to Mao Zedong for review, and attached a letter stating: "Regarding the self-criticism of the mistake, I will write a separate report." That same day, after reading it, Mao Zedong deleted the word "stern" from the phrase "received stern criticism from the Central Committee" in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' article, and wrote the instruction: "No need to write the self-criticism."