Comments on the Review Conclusion Regarding Li Weihan [I]
(November and December 1975)
[I]
Li Weihan, formerly Minister of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee. In 1962 and 1964, he was subjected to two rounds of erroneous criticism and, in 1964, was removed from his post as Minister of the United Front Work Department. During the Cultural Revolution, he suffered persecution. In 1979, he served as a consultant to the CPC Central Committee’s United Front Work Department. In November 1980, the CPC Central Committee approved the United Front Work Department’s “Report on the Reexamination of Comrade Li Weihan’s Case,” which stated that the department’s criticisms of Li Weihan in 1962 and 1964 “were, both theoretically and politically, in violation of Marxism-Leninism and Mao Zedong Thought, and, organizationally, contravened Chairman Mao’s instructions regarding the principles and methods of intra-party struggle.” The Central Committee also approved the revocation of several reports submitted to the central authorities during these two erroneous campaigns, together with the central directive dated December 25, 1964, removing Li Weihan from his post as Minister of the United Front Work Department.
[2]


This first document contains Chairman Mao’s comments on a letter dated November 7, 1975, sent by Li Weihan to Mao Zedong and the CPC Central Committee. In his letter, Li Weihan wrote: “At the end of May, I was sent to the Cadre Sanatorium in Wenquan Town, Xianning, Hubei Province. Over the past few months, I have often hoped for a review conclusion. Especially since it has been eight years since I last participated in organizational activities, I have been feeling very distressed. I hope to remain within the Party to continue my studies and, to the extent possible, to do some useful work.” The second document consists of Chairman Mao’s comments on the review conclusion concerning Li Weihan, prepared by the First Office of the Central Special Case Review Group and submitted on November 18, 1975. The third document contains Chairman Mao’s comments on the revised review conclusion and recommendations for handling Li Weihan’s case, which was resubmitted for approval on December 13 after discussion and modification by the Political Bureau. The conclusion proposed two courses of action: (1) Expel him from the Party, treat the matter as an internal people’s affair, preserve his civil rights, provide a monthly living allowance of 200 yuan, and arrange for him to be cared for in Hubei Province. Li Weihan’s historical and political issues should not involve his children. (2) Retain his Party membership, maintain his original salary, and arrange for him to be cared for in Hubei Province. After deliberation, the Political Bureau agreed to the first option proposed by the Special Case Review Group. On December 13, Deng Xiaoping, Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Committee, submitted the revised conclusion—after its discussion and amendment by the Political Bureau—to Mao Zedong for review, writing: “The members of the Political Bureau have also taken into account this person’s influence within the Party. What are the Chairman’s thoughts on how to handle him? I propose that the Chairman make the final decision.” Following his review, Mao Zedong penned these comments.


On the 21st of the month, Deng Xiaoping returned the “Review Conclusion on Li Weihan” to the Central Office, noting: “The Political Bureau has, in accordance with the Chairman’s instructions, adopted the second option for handling the matter.”


Please have Wang III investigate this person’s review situation and let me know the conclusion at your earliest convenience.
Distribute to the Political Bureau for discussion and decision.
It may be considered to handle it according to the second option; further deliberation is requested.
Mao Zedong
November 16
November 22
Mao Zedong
December 14
[I]
Wang refers to Wang Dongxing, who at that time was a member of the CPC Central Committee Political Bureau and Director of the Central Office.