Directive on Seizing the Moment to Implement the Six Major Policies in the Enemy’s Rear[1]

(July 12, 1943)

Chiang Kai-shek reckons that it will not be easy to open a second front in Europe, that Germany will attack Moscow again, and that Japan will inevitably attack the Soviet Union; he is therefore moving troops and making preparations to launch an offensive against us, to force us to accept a surrender under duress, and he also sees that we have kept silent for two years and believes we can be subdued by pressure. He is utterly unaware that since our Party implemented the six policies—rectifying the three styles, better troops and simpler administration, unified leadership, supporting the government and cherishing the people, developing production, and examining cadres—both inside and outside the Party, in spirit and in material terms, everything has taken on a completely new aspect, has greatly advanced, is united as never before, and offers no opening to exploit. In the enemy’s rear, too, please seize the moment to carry out these six major policies and strive to complete the tasks this year and next. The regular tasks put forward among the masses are the three items of war, production, and education. This telegram was also sent to certain central bureaus and central sub-bureaus.

[1] This is a directive issued by Mao Zedong to Peng Dehuai and all central sub-bureaus on seizing the moment to implement the six major policies in the enemy’s rear.