Deng Xiaoping and the Transformation of China

by Ezra F. Vogel

Upon hearing that he would not have a private audience with Mao, Deng composed a handwritten letter to Mao that in effect announced his resignation, and he gave it to Mao Yuanxin to deliver to Mao. He wrote, “Chairman, I beg that you approve my request to be relieved of my duties leading the daily work of the party center.20 For the past two months I have been criticized. I fear my continuing to work will weaken the efforts of the Central Committee and that I will make further errors. I will follow the decisions of the Chairman and the Central Committee.”21 The day after he received Deng's letter, Mao met with his nephew to hear his report on Deng's conduct at their meeting the day before. In Mao Yuanxin's view, Deng's self-criticism still had not gone far enough.