Request to Each Area to Summarize the
Rectification Study Experience
(February 10, 1943)
Comrades [Zhou] Enlai, [Peng] Dehuai, [Deng] Xiaoping, [Nie] Rongzhen, Lin
Feng, Zhu Rui, [Luo] Ronghuan, and [Rao] Shushi:1
In order to summarize last year’s rectification study and to decide on this year’s
study plan, we request that you report to us via telegram your region’s study
experience over the past year, especially concerning the following items:
1. Did most comrades have a correct understanding of rectification study?
Were there any prejudices or misconceptions?
2. Among the cadres, for whom did the rectification have the greatest effect? In
terms of the object of rectification, was there any [evidence of] putting the trivial
above the important by rectifying only junior cadres and not senior cadres?
3. Was the study plan based on concrete circumstances and on the variety of
cadres? Were there any defects in terms of disregarding the war environment or
of not taking into consideration the levels of the cadres?
4. Did the study methods make it possible to link rectification study closely
with practical work? Were the study and its application consistent with each
other? Was there an attitude of dogmatism in any study?
5. Did responsible comrades at every level set good examples? Did they
personally take charge of the study? Did they give up their duties and delegate
leadership over the study to their secretaries or to the care of other people?
I look forward to a speedy reply to the above questions.
Mao Zedong

Notes

--- Notes

Our source for this document is Mao Zedong wenji, Vol. 3, pp. 4–5, where it is reproduced from a copy of the
manuscript preserved in the Central Archives.

1. For Peng Dehuai, see above, note to the text of January 25, 1943. Deng Xiaoping (1904–1997) was at this
time secretary of the Taihang Branch Bureau of the Central Committee and the commissar of the 129th
Division of the Eighth Route Army. For Nie Rongzhen, see above, note to the text of July 4, 1942. For Lin
Feng, see above, note to the text of October 31, 1942. Zhu Rui (1905–1948) was at this time secretary of the
Shandong Branch Bureau of the Central Committee. Luo Ronghuan (1902–1963) was at this time commissar
of the 115th Division of the Eighth Route Army. For Rao Shushi, see above, note to the text of January 5,
1943.