Dehuai and Zhongxun [1], Lin Biao and Zikui [2], Jianying and Fangfang [3], Xiaoping, Bocheng, and Helong [4], Yibo and Lantao [5], Gao Gang, Fuchun, and Lin Feng [6], and Kang Sheng [7]: According to a telegram received on October 11 from Comrade Rao Shushi [8], “We have chosen Songjiang County near Shanghai to develop experience in convening county-wide meetings of representatives from all sectors of the people. Such a meeting was held on September 30. I rushed there to attend and delivered a report. The outcome was very positive. Following vigorous discussion and debate among representatives of various sectors, resolutions were adopted setting out measures for rent and interest reduction, reasonable burden-sharing, and the settlement of labor–management disputes. The educational significance is considerable both within and outside the Party. This demonstrates that there is not only an urgent need but also every practical possibility for summoning county-wide meetings of representatives from all sectors in every county. We plan to publish a full account of the proceedings and the lessons learned in the Liberation Daily. Specifically: (1) My report at the meeting, concerning rent and interest reduction, reasonable burden-sharing, and policies related to industry and commerce—already published in the Liberation Daily of October 6; (2) A report on the Songjiang County meeting of representatives from all sectors; (3) An abstract of the county party secretary’s report on the work and tasks facing Songjiang; (4) An exposition of the experience gained from the county-wide meeting of representatives from all sectors in Songjiang (to be issued as an editorial in the Liberation Daily). All of these items have today been transmitted to the Central Committee via Xinhua News Agency. Should further specialized internal summaries or reports be required, please telegraph instructions for their preparation.” Upon receipt of the above document, it will be broadcast by Xinhua News Agency; you may read it in the newspapers. After reviewing the experience of Songjiang County, promptly issue orders directing all subordinate units to follow suit. This is a matter of great importance. If one thousand or even several thousand counties can successfully convene and effectively conduct such county-wide representative assemblies, it will be of immense significance both for our Party’s work of maintaining close ties with hundreds of millions of people and for providing valuable education to a broad cadre corps inside and outside the Party. I earnestly urge you to act without delay and to implement this instruction faithfully. Moreover, please select a single county, attend its meeting in person, gain firsthand experience, and provide guidance to your subordinates.

Mao Zedong, October 13, printed from the manuscript. Notes [1] Dehuai refers to Peng Dehuai (1898–1974), from Xiangtan, Hunan Province, who at the time served as First Secretary of the Northwest Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Zhongxun refers to Xi Zhongxun, born in 1913 in Fuping, Shaanxi Province, who at the time was Secretary of the Northwest Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. [2] Lin Biao (1907–1971), from Huanggang, Hubei Province, served as First Secretary of the Central China Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Zikui refers to Deng Zikui (1896–1972), from Longyan, Fujian Province, who at the time was Third Secretary of the Central China Bureau. [3] Jianying refers to Ye Jianying (1897–1986), from Meixian, Guangdong Province, who at the time was First Secretary of the South China Sub-Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Fangfang (1904–1971), from Puning, Guangdong Province, served as Third Secretary of the South China Sub-Bureau. [4] Xiaoping refers to Deng Xiaoping (1904–1997), from Guang’an, Sichuan Province, who at the time was First Secretary of the Southwest Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Bocheng refers to Liu Bocheng (1892–1986), from Kaixian, Sichuan Province, who at the time was Second Secretary of the Southwest Bureau. Helong (1896–1969), from Sangzhi, Hunan Province, was appointed Third Secretary of the Southwest Bureau in August 1949; however, he was still stationed in the northwest at the time and had not yet assumed his post. [5] Yibo refers to Bo Yibo, born in 1908 in Dingxiang, Shanxi Province, who at the time was First Secretary of the North China Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Lantao refers to Liu Lantao (1910–1997), from Mizhi, Shaanxi Province, who at the time was Third Secretary of the North China Bureau. [6] Gao Gang (1905–1954), from Hengshan, Shaanxi Province, served as Secretary of the Northeast Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Fuchun refers to Li Fuchun (1900–1975), from Changsha, Hunan Province, who at the time was Deputy Secretary of the Northeast Bureau. Lin Feng (1906–1977), from Wangkui, Heilongjiang Province, served as Deputy Secretary of the Northeast Bureau. [7] Kang Sheng (1898–1975), from Jiaonan, Shandong Province, served as Secretary of the Shandong Sub-Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. [8] Rao Shushi (1903–1975), from Linchuan, Jiangxi Province, served as First Secretary of the East China Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.