Telegram of Experience
(October 13, 1949)
To Dehuai and Zhongxun[1], Lin Biao and Zikui[2], Jianying and Fangfang[3], Xiaoping and Bocheng, Helong[4],
Yi Bo and
Lantao[5], Gao Gang, Fuchun and Lin Feng[6], Kang Sheng[7]:
[1] Dehuai refers to Peng Dehuai, who at the time was First Secretary of the Northwest Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Zhongxun refers to Xi Zhongxun,
who at the time was Secretary of the Northwest Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
[2]
Lin Biao was then First Secretary of the Central China Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Zikui refers to Deng Zikui, who at the time served as Third Secretary of the Central China Bureau.
[3]
Jianying refers to Ye Jianying,
who was First Secretary of the South China Sub-Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Fangfang was at that time
Third Secretary of the South China Sub-Bureau.
[4]
Xiaoping,
that is, Deng Xiaoping,
was First Secretary of the Southwest Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Bocheng refers to Liu Bocheng,
who was Second Secretary of the Southwest Bureau. Helong was Second Secretary of the Northwest Bureau;
in August 1949 he was appointed Third Secretary of the Southwest Bureau, but had not yet taken up the post.
[5]
Yi Bo refers to Bo Yibo, who at the time was First Secretary of the North China Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Lantao refers to Liu Lantao,
who at the time served as Third Secretary of the North China Bureau.
[6]
Gao Gang was then Secretary of the Northeast Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Fuchun refers to Li Fuchun,
who at the time was Deputy Secretary of the Northeast Bureau. Lin Feng was also a Deputy Secretary of the Northeast Bureau.
[7]
Kang Sheng was then Secretary of the Shandong Sub-Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

According to Comrade Rao Shushi[8]’s telegram dated October 11: “We have chosen Songjiang County near Shanghai
to create 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 meeting went very well. Following heated discussions and debates among representatives from various sectors,
measures were adopted for rent and interest reduction, reasonable burden-sharing, and resolution of labor–management disputes. It holds great educational significance both within and outside the Party.
This demonstrates that convening county-wide meetings of representatives from all sectors is not only urgently needed but also entirely feasible. We plan to publish the proceedings and experiences in full in the Liberation Daily, including:
(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 on 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 Songjiang’s work and tasks;
(4) An introduction to the experience of the Songjiang County Meeting of Representatives from All Sectors (to be published as an editorial in the Liberation Daily). These materials have today been transmitted by Xinhua News Agency to the Central Committee. Should there still be a need for a special internal summary report, please instruct accordingly,” and so forth. Upon receipt of these documents, they will immediately be broadcast by Xinhua’s central office, and you can read about them in the newspapers. After reviewing the Songjiang experience, please promptly issue orders for all your subordinate units to follow suit. This is a major matter. If hundreds upon hundreds of counties can successfully convene and effectively conduct such county-wide representative meetings, it will be of immense importance for our Party’s work in connecting with hundreds of millions of people, as well as for educating a broad contingent of cadres both inside and outside the Party. I earnestly urge you to emulate this practice and press ahead without delay. Furthermore, please select a county, attend in person to gain firsthand experience, and provide guidance to your subordinates.
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East
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Ten
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[1]
Rao Shushi was then First Secretary of the East China Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Comrade Shushi:
Your urgent telegram has been received.
(1) The success of the Songjiang meeting is deeply gratifying. Upon receipt of all relevant documents, they will be immediately broadcast nationwide by Xinhua’s central office. I have forwarded your message to the responsible comrades in each central bureau, instructing them to issue orders for all their subordinate units to follow suit. As for those under the East China Bureau, it is you who should issue the order. This is indeed a significant undertaking. If the thousands of counties across the country can all hold such county-wide representative meetings—and hold them well—it will be of utmost importance for our Party’s efforts to connect with hundreds of millions of people, as well as for educating a broad spectrum of cadres both within and outside the Party. I urge you to seize the opportunity presented by the Songjiang experience, requiring the leading comrades of provincial, regional, and prefectural party committees throughout East China to personally attend several counties, gain practical experience, and thereby facilitate wider implementation.
(2) There is no need for an internal summary report.
Mao Zedong
October 13