(July 1975)
There were too few model operas, and even the slightest mistake would invite criticism. The policy of “letting a hundred flowers bloom” had completely disappeared.
Others were not allowed to offer any opinions, which was undesirable.
People were afraid to write articles or create operas—any effort would be in vain. There were no novels, no poetry.
[I]
This is part of a conversation held in early July 1975 between Mao Zedong and Deng Xiaoping, Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council.
These two passages were quoted in bold type in “Evidence of the Anti-Party Clique Composed of Wang Hongwen, Zhang Chunqiao, Jiang Qing, and Yao Wenyuan (Document No. 3),” which was forwarded by the CPC Central Committee on September 23, 1977.