Comments on Li Suwen’s Request to Spend More Time at the Grass-roots Level in Contact with Practical Reality
(November 14, 1975)


It seems appropriate to approve this. Comrade Deng Kui (2) is requested to consult with Comrade Li Suwen and handle the matter as deemed fit.
November 14


Printed from Mao Zedong’s handwritten draft.


Notes


[1] Li Suwen, a member of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Chairperson of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress, wrote to Mao Zedong on November 1, 1975, stating: “I have long been engaged in financial and trade work at the grass-roots level, and recently I have also been involved in some high-level financial and trade affairs. I deeply feel that although the situation on the financial and trade front is very good, the channels of communication are not yet fully unimpeded, and the links are not closely enough knit. I am eager to do something in this regard, earnestly implement the Chairman’s instruction to follow the ‘three one-thirds’ policy, and carry out solid investigative research. This year I was transferred to the central leadership to oversee financial and trade work, which is an expression of the Party’s trust in me. However, I am concerned that if I remain in the upper echelons for too long, I may become mired in piles of documents and preoccupied with official receptions and formalities. I hope to be given more opportunities to go to the grassroots, to come into contact with the masses and with practical realities, to conduct more investigations and studies, and thereby to do a good job in financial and trade work. In addition, I have also been asked to take part in certain women’s work, but I am really not familiar with this area. I suggest that other comrades who are more experienced assume responsibility for it, so that I can concentrate my efforts on doing a good job in financial and trade work.”


[2] Deng Kui refers to Ji Dengkui, who at that time was a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, a member of the Central Organization and Propaganda Group, and a Vice Premier of the State Council.