Henan can begin the work of land distribution this winter, and it is expected to be preliminarily completed next year.
The six provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Hubei, Hunan, and Jiangxi, and possibly Guangdong as well, must begin this work next winter, with preliminary completion expected the year after.
As for full completion, at least one more year will be required.
This is the second decisive battle of the Chinese people’s democratic revolution, following the military struggle.
Because this land reform work is being carried out under conditions of cooperation with the bourgeoisie, it differs from the previous period during the war when we were isolated from the bourgeoisie. Therefore, greater caution is needed, and the leading organs must maintain a firm grip, constantly stay informed of the situation, correct deviations, and strive to make fewer mistakes.
It is beneficial for the land reform to be carried out in two stages with regard to the landlords and the rich peasants, as this facilitates the protection of the middle peasants.
Financial and economic work has become a major item on the agenda of the Central Committee and the central bureaus. Financial and economic issues should be seriously studied, and timely propaganda should be conducted so that the people understand the situation and policies.
Several policy issues were already decided at the Second Plenary Session [2], yet in some places there is still a lack of clear understanding.
In the relationship between urban and rural areas, which is the center? Ever since cities came into existence, the cities have been the center.
Urban handicraft industry also represents progress compared to agriculture, not to mention industry itself.
In the relationship between industry and commerce, industry should be the center, because industry produces value.
In the relationship between the public and private sectors, the public-sector economy should be the center, because although the public-sector economy may be smaller in quantity in some places, it is concentrated and holds the leading position.
In the relationship between labor and capital, we must rely on the working class, not on the bourgeoisie. The bourgeoisie cannot be relied upon.
These are all principles that must be upheld, and we must not be misled by certain phenomena.

Printed based on the transcript of the speech preserved in the Central Archives.

Notes
[1] This is a speech by Mao Zedong at a meeting of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China.
[2] See Mao Zedong, “Report to the Second Plenary Session of the Seventh Central Committee of the Communist Party of China,” Section 6 (*Selected Works of Mao Zedong*, Vol. IV, People’s Publishing House, 1991 edition, pp. 1429–1434).