Comments on a Letter from Representatives of the Intellectual Youth [1]
(October 27, 1975)
It should be published.
It is a pity that so few people came; next time there should be more.
October 27
[1]


Xing Yanzhi, Zhu Kejia, and ten other representatives of the intellectual youth who attended the National Conference on Learning from Dazhai in Agriculture wrote to Mao Zedong and the CPC Central Committee on October 20, 1975, stating: “We, twelve young intellectuals who have gone to the countryside or returned to our hometowns from all over the country, have with great excitement taken part in the highly significant National Conference on Learning from Dazhai in Agriculture. This fully demonstrates Chairman Mao and the Party Central Committee’s cordial care for the millions of young intellectuals across the nation who have gone to the countryside or returned home, and has profoundly educated and inspired us. Upon our return, we will certainly convey the care and expectations of Chairman Mao and the Party Central Committee to the broad ranks of young intellectuals. We will resolutely take action, throw ourselves into the vigorous movement to learn from Dazhai in agriculture, and dedicate our youth to popularizing the Dazhai County experience and achieving agricultural mechanization. We also request that party committees at all levels create the necessary conditions for us—reducing our need to attend various meetings—so that those of us who have become cadres may have more time to work at the grassroots level, carry out our tasks in a down-to-earth manner, and lead the masses in learning from Dazhai, thereby living up to the earnest expectations of Chairman Mao and the Party Central Committee.” On October 23, 1975, Vice Premier of the State Council Chen Yonggui submitted this letter to Deng Xiaoping, Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council. On October 25, when forwarding it to Mao Zedong, Deng Xiaoping wrote: “I suggest that this letter, in full or in summary, be published in the newspapers to encourage young intellectuals who have gone to the mountains and countryside.” On October 28, the letter was published in its entirety in the People’s Daily.