Lu Dingyi
Illustration, not an archive object
Director of the Propaganda Department of the CCP Central Committee (1945-1966); Vice-Premier and Minister of Culture; purged in May 1966 · China
On the regime page: People's Republic of China under Mao Zedong
4 quotes, oldest first. Filter with other speakers.
“To artists and writers, we say, “Let flowers of many kinds blossom.” To scientists we say, “Let diverse schools of thought contend.” This is the policy of the Chinese Communist Party.”
English: Foreign Languages Press, Peking (1957 pamphlet). Original-language text not found.
Speech to scientists, doctors, writers and artists, given at the request of Kuo Mo-jo, on the policy announced by Mao at the Supreme State Conference. It was the first public statement of what became known as the Hundred Flowers campaign.
"Let Flowers of Many Kinds Blossom, Diverse Schools of Thought Contend!" (speech on the policy of the Communist Party of China on art, literature and science delivered on 26 May 1956), Foreign Languages Press, Peking, 1957, opening section Source
““Letting flowers of many kinds blossom, diverse schools of thought contend” means that we stand for freedom of independent thinking, of debate, of creative work; freedom to criticize and freedom to express, maintain and reserve one’s opinions on questions of art, literature or scientific research.”
English: Foreign Languages Press, Peking (1957 pamphlet). Original-language text not found.
Lu's definition of the policy, given before he turns to the limits of the freedom it covered. The pamphlet adds a footnote marker after this sentence referring to an appendix.
"Let Flowers of Many Kinds Blossom, Diverse Schools of Thought Contend!", Foreign Languages Press, Peking, 1957, section I Source
Content note: States that counter-revolutionaries are to receive no freedom of expression. The words are shown as they were said or written. Why
“We, on the contrary, hold that there must be democratic liberties among the people, but that no freedom should be extended to counter-revolutionaries: for them we have only dictatorship.”
English: Foreign Languages Press, Peking (1957 pamphlet). Original-language text not found.
Follows Lu's contrast between this freedom and what he calls bourgeois democracy, and precedes his statement that a clear political line must be drawn between friend and foe.
"Let Flowers of Many Kinds Blossom, Diverse Schools of Thought Contend!", Foreign Languages Press, Peking, 1957, section I Source
Content note: Endorses harsh treatment of named critics. The words are shown as they were said or written. Why
“It stands to reason that we should give such counter-revolutionaries blow for blow. But it would be wrong to use the same method among ourselves—the people.”
English: Foreign Languages Press, Peking (1957 pamphlet). Original-language text not found.
Said of Wang Shiwei, whom the speech calls a counter-revolutionary in Yenan, and Hu Feng, a critic denounced in 1955 and imprisoned. Lu distinguishes this treatment from criticism among "the people".
"Let Flowers of Many Kinds Blossom, Diverse Schools of Thought Contend!", Foreign Languages Press, Peking, 1957, section on criticism and study Source