After the "Gang of Four" was smashed, Hua Guofeng, then Chairman of the CPC Central Committee, and some others proposed: "We will resolutely uphold whatever policy decisions Chairman Mao made, and unswervingly follow whatever instructions Chairman Mao gave."

The proposal was challenged by many people. On May 11, 1978, Guangming Daily carried an article titled "Practice Is the Sole Criterion for Testing Truth," stirring nationwide discussions on the criteria for testing truth.

The in-depth debate gradually shook off the ideological shackles of the "two whatever's," playing a significant role in efforts to set things right after the "cultural revolution."

(Courtesy of the Foreign Languages Press)

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