Several paragraphs added when revising the directive on land reform and Party consolidation work in old and semi-old liberated areas drafted by Zhou Enlai for the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (February 22, 1948)

In the equal distribution or readjustment of land, it is extremely important that when the land of new rich peasants and middle peasants is to be drawn upon, the reasons must be fully explained and their consent obtained. If they do not consent, concessions should be made to them, and no coercive measures shall be adopted. Both land reform work and Party consolidation work are very meticulous forms of mass work; the pace of the work must be determined in accordance with the level of the masses’ political consciousness and the degree of their organization, as well as the number and quality of leading cadres. In every village, the resolution of land reform and Party consolidation issues must be fully matured through deliberation and secure the agreement of the overwhelming majority before decisions can be made and actions taken; they must not be coercively resolved by a minority, thereby committing the error of commandism. At the same time, incorrect opinions arising among the masses must be patiently persuaded against, so as to realize the leading role of the Party, and the error of tailism must not be committed. In all places, after the land reform work and Party consolidation work are roughly completed, general elections should immediately be held to establish village people’s congresses and to re-elect village governments. Except in newly liberated areas that are not yet consolidated, all Party branches should operate openly. In all meetings of any Party branch where issues concerning the interests of the masses are discussed, including Party criticism and review meetings, non-Party masses shall be allowed to participate; no secret meetings shall be permitted, so as to dispel the masses’ sense of mystery regarding Party organizations and Party meetings, and to expose all good and bad phenomena within the Party before the masses, subjecting them to the supervision, criticism, or endorsement of the masses.