Reply to Peng Dehuai’s Telegram[1]

(March 15, 1943)

I agree with your plan for this year’s rectification study in North China. For the meeting of cadres at the prefectural committee level and above to be held in March, the method of proceeding from examining actual work to comprehending the spirit of the documents should be adopted. In the discussions, emphasis must be placed on opposing liberalism, self-criticism must be carried out in depth, all shortcomings and mistakes must be thoroughly exposed, and problems must be raised to the level of ideological principles. Only thus can we achieve coherence from top to bottom, unity among cadres, and the transformation of work.

[1] This is the main content of Mao Zedong’s reply to Peng Dehuai’s telegram.