Opinions on the Current Work in Southern Hebei[1]

(August 8, 1938)

Our general policy should be to actively participate in and take hold of the local administrative organs in Hebei, and we must not slacken. At present, we must step up the establishment and consolidation of county governments, select or appoint the most capable comrades to serve as county magistrates, and may also designate temporary commissioners, creating a fait accompli before discussing and negotiating with Lu.[2] To this end, it is necessary to request Yang Xiulin[3] to go to the area east of the railway, bring cadres, and temporarily take charge of the government work in Southern Hebei. A prompt decision on action is requested.

[1] This is the main content of Mao Zedong's opinions on the current work in Southern Hebei and a telegram from Hu Fu (Liu Shaoqi) to Xu Xiangqian, Deng Xiaoping, Song Renqiong, to be relayed to the Shanxi-Hebei-Henan Provincial Committee and others.

[2] Lu refers to Lu Zhonglin, then Chairman of the Hebei Provincial Government under the Kuomintang.

[3] Yang Xiulin, namely Yang Xiufeng, was elected Director when the Southern Hebei Administrative Director's Office was established on August 14, 1938.