Julia Andrews, in her book on the art of the People's Republic, suggested that Dong's solution was not entirely satisfactory as the microphones dominate the center of the painting, and Mao is diminished by the expanded space around him.
Dalam bukunya tentang kesenian Republik Rakyat, Julia Andrews berpendapat bahwa solusi Dong tidak sepenuhnya memuaskan karena mikrofon-mikrofonnya mendominasi bagian tengah lukisan tersebut, dan Mao diperkecil karena perluasan ruang di sekitarnya.