Comments on the Xinhua News Agency’s Request Report Concerning Coverage of the Study of the Theory of the Proletarian Dictatorship
(April 23, 1975)
(1)
The formulation should emphasize opposition to revisionism, including both empiricism and dogmatism; both are revisions of Marxism-Leninism. We should not single out one while letting the other go unmentioned. Conditions vary from place to place, but they all stem from an insufficient grasp of Marxism-Leninism. Regardless of which tendency is present, education is required, and it would be best to gradually raise the level of Marxist-Leninist understanding over many years.
There are few in our Party who truly understand Marxism-Leninism. Some people think they do, but in fact they do not; they assume they are right and are quick to lecture others—this, too, is a manifestation of their lack of genuine understanding of Marxism-Leninism.
Please bring this matter before the Politburo for discussion.
Sincerely hoped for.

April 23, 1975
Printed according to documents issued by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee.
Notes
〔1〕 These comments were written on a request report submitted by Yao Wenyuan (then a member of the CPC Central Political Bureau) to the Xinhua News Agency, titled “Request Report on Reporting Issues Related to the Study of the Theory of the Proletarian Dictatorship.” In its report dated April 20, 1975, the Xinhua News Agency stated that, for some time to come, it would vigorously publicize how cadres at all levels were earnestly reading and diligently studying in order to thoroughly master the theory of the proletarian dictatorship, while opposing the superficial approach to learning. Particular attention should be paid to promoting awareness among cadres at all levels of the dangers of empiricism through study and to consciously overcoming it. The General Office of the CPC Central Committee subsequently circulated this report along with Mao Zedong’s comments as Document No. 126 of 1975. In an article published in the People’s Daily on November 19, 1976, entitled “A Dark Program of the ‘Gang of Four’ to Seize Power within the Party—An Analysis of How the Wang–Zhang–Jiang–Yao Anti-Party Clique Used ‘Opposition to Empiricism’ as Its Main Line,” the main content of these comments was quoted in bold type.