DECISION OF CENTRAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ON THE REDEMARCATION OF ADMINISTRATIVE AREAS

21 July 1933

[Text] The demarcation of the soviet administrative areas is absolutely different in principle from the demarcation of those of the old reactionary government. The scope of administrative areas of the old reactionary government was very extensive because they were bureaucratic organs far removed from the masses, and their aim was only to weaken and oppress the people. The principle upon which the demarcation of the soviet administrative areas is based is in complete contrast because they must be as close to the people as possible and work for the benefit of the masses. Thus the range of a town, district, county and province must not be too large. The central soviet areas have undergone not a few changes in demarcation, but they have, generally speaking, kept their old boundaries without any fundamental alterations. This has greatly hampered the work of mass mobilization and economic and cultural construction. Therefore, it is resolved by the Central Executive Committee to redemarcate the administrative areas of the Central soviet sector and stipulates the standards of their demarcation at various levels as follows:

(A) City: Apart from its own area, a city may govern portions of a town and village within its environs but their area should not exceed 5 li.

(B) Township:

(1) Township of 1st class. In a densely populated area on the plain, each township should as a standard rule govern a population of 2,000. If a village or several villages in the vicinity have a population of more than 2,000, a township soviet may govern a larger population but it must not exceed the maximum of 2,500 people. At the same time if for reasons of topography (such as rivers and streams) it is desirable to divide one township into two, thereby reducing the population of one township to less than 2,500, then that township soviet may govern a smaller population.

(2) Township of 2d class. In a locality intermixed with plains and hills where the population is not as dense as that of a township of 1st class and where the area is wider, a township may as a standard rule govern a population of 1,500. If for reasons of topography it is desirable for a township soviet to cover a wider or smaller area, the population of such a township may be more or less than 1,500 people.

(3) Township of 3rd class. In a hilly locality with a sparse population, each township as a standard rule may govern a population of 1,000. If for reasons of topography it is desirable for certain villages and hamlets to be governed by one township, then the population of such a township may exceed 1,000 but its area must not be too extensive or it would run counter to the soviet principle of being close to the masses. At the same time if for topographic reasons it is not desirable for a township soviet to govern a larger population, then its population may be less than 1,000. In a locality surrounded by big mountains where the area is exceptionally extensive and the population exceptionally sparse, the population of such a township may be as small as 400 but not less than 250 as a minimum.

(C) District: Each district should as a standard rule govern seven townships. In a locality on the plain with an unusually dense population, such a district may govern nine townships. In a hilly and expansive locality with an unusually sparse population, the number of townships governed by a district may be reduced to five townships.

(D) County and Province: The demarcation of administrative areas of a county and a province shall be entrusted to the People's Committee and shall be governed by decree based on the principle of being close to the masses.

All soviet districts outside the Central Soviet sector should re-examine their administrative areas in accordance with the principle enunciated in this decision and any district whose area is too extensive should be redemarcated in conformity with this principle.

Upon publication of this decision, "the Provisional Regulations Governing the Demarcation of Administrative Areas in the Chinese Soviet Republic" promulgated in December 1931 shall be declared null and void.

Mao Tse-tung, Chairman

Hsiang Ying, Chang Kuo-t'ao, Vice Chairmen

21 July 1933

"Red China," No 98, 1 August 1933

11,667