Comments on Chen Pixian’s Letter
(17 September 1974)

Comrade Hongwen [^2]:
How this person is to be handled, please discuss it at a meeting of the Political Bureau. I hope you will!
Mao Zedong
17 September 1974
It seems he may be dealt with as a matter of internal contradiction among the people.

[^1] Chen Pixian, formerly Secretary of the Central China Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and First Secretary of the CPC Shanghai Municipal Committee. During the "Cultural Revolution," he was wrongly criticized, overthrown after mass denunciation. In September 1974, he wrote a letter to Mao Zedong, stating that he was not a traitor, counter-revolutionary, or unrepentant capitalist-roader, and requested that his isolation and examination be lifted and that he be given some work he could do. In September 1975, Chen Pixian was reinstated as Deputy Director of the Shanghai Municipal Revolutionary Committee.
[^2] Hongwen, namely Wang Hongwen, then Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Committee.

September 1974, Mao Zedong with Li Xiannian and others in the study at Zhongnanhai.
September 1974, Mao Zedong with Li Xiannian, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council.