During the tense period when the imperialist and Kuomintang forces were launching a major offensive against the Central Soviet Area, special caution should be exercised with regard to persons leaving the Soviet Zone. No one should be permitted to depart without thorough examination, so as to prevent gentry landlords and all reactionary elements from freely exiting to engage in counter-revolutionary activities. In order to consolidate the Soviet Zone and safeguard the interests of the working and peasant masses, the Provisional Central Government hereby lays down the following regulations governing the departure of individuals from the Soviet Area:  (1) Any person seeking to leave the Soviet Area must possess both an exit permit issued by the State Political Security Bureau and a government travel pass before being allowed to depart. If only one of these documents is presented—particularly if there is a travel pass but no exit permit—such person shall not be permitted to leave.  (2) The State Political Security Bureau, together with its provincial and county branches (district special envoys are not authorized to issue exit permits), shall subject all applicants for exit to strict scrutiny. Permits may be granted only to those whose need to leave is deemed genuine, and the permit must clearly specify the designated route of travel.  (3) Provincial, county, and district people’s governments (township governments have no authority to issue exit travel passes) may, upon presentation of a valid exit permit from the Political Security Bureau, issue a travel pass in accordance with the route indicated on the permit. Otherwise, no such pass shall be issued. In particular, when a district government is issuing a travel pass, it must conduct a detailed investigation to ensure that the applicant or the person concerned actually resides within the district, or that the journey necessarily requires passage through the district; it shall not be issued merely because the applicant has come from another district to obtain a pass here.  All local governments, security bureaus at all levels, military organs, and inspection agencies are urged to implement these provisions strictly in order to strengthen red martial law. This is hereby ordered.

Mao Zedong, Chairman; Xiang Ying and Zhang Guotao, Vice Chairmen  All-level Soviet Governments, All-level State Political Security Bureaus, and All-level Military Organs November 17, 1931