Telegraph to Rao Shushi [1] Regarding Preparations for Land Reform (January 13, 1950)  Comrade Rao Shushi:  (1) Your report of January 9 has been received and read with great satisfaction.  (2) In the preparatory work for land reform, the reorganization of district and township governments is of paramount importance and must be completed on schedule; otherwise, land reform cannot be carried out.  (3) In order to conduct land reform this winter, all preparatory tasks must be finished during the spring, summer, and autumn of this year.
Time is very tight, and close, vigorous supervision is essential if we are to succeed.  (4) It would seem advisable for the East China Military and Political Committee to be established and to assume its functions at an early date.
Mao Zedong January 13 Based on the manuscript.
Notes [1] Rao Shushi was at that time First Secretary of the CPC East China Bureau and Chairman of the East China Military and Political Committee.