Letter from Deng Xiaoping to Hua Guofeng and the CCP Central Committee

To Comrade [Hua] Guofeng and the Central Committee, delivered by Comrade [Wang] Dongxing:

I wholeheartedly support the Central Committee’s decision to appoint Comrade Guofeng as the Chairman of the Party Central Committee and the Central Military Commission. I cheer for the great significance of this extremely important decision to our Party and the socialist cause. Comrade Guofeng is the most suitable successor to Chairman Mao not only in terms of political thinking but also in terms of age, which would ensure the stability of the proletarian leadership for at least 15 or 20 years. How very important this is to the whole Party, military and the people nationwide! How could we not be elated about this!

The recent struggle against ambitious schemers and conspirators who tried to usurp power occurred during the crucial period immediately following the demise of our great leader Chairman Mao. The Central Committee led by Comrade Guofeng triumphed over these bad eggs and scored a great victory. This is a triumph of the proletariat over the bourgeoisie and that of the socialist road over the capitalist road. This is a victory that reinforces the dictatorship of the proletariat and prevents capitalism from making a comeback, and it is a victory that underpins the Party’s great cause. This is the victory of Mao Zedong Thought and Chairman Mao’s revolutionary line. Like the people of our country, my heart is brimming with joy at the victory achieved in this great struggle, and I cannot help but shout hurrah, hurrah, hip hip hurrah/long live, long live, long live our Party! I express my heartfelt and sincere feelings in this brief letter.

Long live the great victory of our Party and the socialist cause!

Deng Xiaoping

10 October 1976