A Paragraph Added to Lin Boqu’s Report[1]

(April 14, 1944)

In the consultative councils at and above the county level, a small number of people of this kind, whose political attitude is rather right-leaning but who are not resolute anti-communist elements, may be absorbed (by means of invitation). This will have an effect in influencing the landlords and capitalists outside and in stabilizing the local wealthy strata. In the attitude toward them, unity and struggle should be equally emphasized; they should be enjoined in the name of the great cause and made to understand the stakes involved, so that they may submit to the overall situation. They should be accorded appropriate courtesy and respect, united with, and their particular skills made use of, but they must not be appointed to important posts, still less be entrusted with great power.

[1] This is a paragraph added by Mao Zedong at the point in Lin Boqu’s report where it discusses the right wing of the middle elements.