Comments on the Report of the Meetings of Representatives from All Sectors
(October 30, 1949)

To the comrades in charge of the various Central Bureaus, Sub-bureaus, and Former Front Committees:

I am now forwarding to you a report dated October 29, 1949, from Comrade Bo Yibo, Secretary of the North China Bureau, addressed to me. This report summarizes the principal experiences gained from the meetings of representatives from all sectors held in the cities of North China. It is written clearly and concisely and can serve as a model for all such meetings or people’s representative conferences. Therefore, I request that you study it carefully and have it circulated among all Party cadres for examination.

[1]
In this report, Bo Yibo sets forth the following principal lessons learned from convening meetings of representatives from all sectors in urban areas:

First, these meetings generally focus on important current production issues, such as the supply of raw materials, the marketing of finished products, the adjustment of labor-management relations, and the provision of food supplies to the city.

Second, thorough preparatory work must be carried out beforehand. Various means should be employed to publicize and explain the objectives of the meetings, the criteria for selecting delegates, their powers and responsibilities, and so forth, while extensively soliciting the views of the masses. Delegates are typically nominated by people’s organizations and then appointed by the government. The nomination process should be both rigorous and broadly representative.

Third, at each meeting, priority should be given to resolving one or two pressing problems that are urgently demanded by the broad masses. Once resolutions are adopted, they must be faithfully implemented. If implementation is not feasible, no decision should be made; if a decision has been reached but proves impractical, the reasons should be clearly explained to the delegates and the public to maintain the people’s trust.

Fourth, humbly seeking opinions from all sides and addressing their questions, ensuring that every delegate has an opportunity to speak, is the key to conducting successful representative meetings. Diligently reporting on the work of the People’s Government, particularly by making financial matters transparent, deeply moved the delegates, who remarked: “This is true democracy—genuine accountability to the people.”

Fifth, after the meeting, it is crucial—and highly effective—for each delegate to individually report back to and explain the meeting’s resolutions to the institutions, organizations, schools, factories, military units, and trades that they represent.

Sixth, meetings of representatives from all sectors must be closely integrated with ongoing practical work.

Please also transmit this message by telegraph to all municipal, provincial, and district Party committees under your jurisdiction, with copies forwarded to prefectural and county Party committees as well as to the Party committees of all small and medium-sized cities, so as to draw the attention of all Party cadres. At the same time, I hope you will take note of summarizing your own experiences and lessons learned on this important issue and report them to the Central Committee. This is earnestly requested.

Mao Zedong
October 30, 1949