Inscription by Mao Zedong for *Qingrong Bao*.

Telegram on the Question of Temporarily Not Touching the Land Rented Out by Rich Peasants
(May 1, 1950)

Comrade Zihui, and inform Shushi:
Your telegram of April 25 received. (1) Given that the amount of land rented out by rich peasants is not large, temporarily not touching this portion of land will not greatly affect the amount of land obtained by poor peasants and hired laborers. My opinion at present remains that it is more appropriate to leave it untouched for the time being. (2) However, you may draft a land reform decree based on your own various opinions. Comrade Zihui should bring it when he comes to the Central Committee meeting after May 15 (the date of Comrade Zihui’s departure will be notified separately), for final discussion and decision at the Central Committee meeting. (3) If the East China Bureau is in favor of temporarily not touching the land rented out by rich peasants, then the East China Bureau is requested to draft a land reform decree different from that of Central China, so that the two can be compared and discussed at the Central Committee meeting.

Mao Zedong
May 1

[1] Zihui, i.e., Deng Zihui, then serving as Third Secretary of the Central-South Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
[2] Shushi, i.e., Rao Shushi, then serving as First Secretary of the East China Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

On May 1, 1950, Mao Zedong celebrated the May 1 International Labor Day atop the Tiananmen Gate tower.