Transmittal of Deng Xiaoping's[1] Report to the Central Committee on the Rectification Movement and Spring Ploughing Situation

(May 13, 1950)

To the East China Bureau, Central-South Bureau, Northwest Bureau, North China Bureau, Northeast Bureau, South China Sub-Bureau, and the Shanghai Municipal Committee:

Comrade Deng Xiaoping's telegram of May 11[2] is hereby forwarded to you for reference. The steps for the rectification movement described therein are, in our view, correct. You are requested to proceed with deployment in accordance with these steps, namely, first rectifying cadres at and above the county party secretary level, and then the broad ranks of cadres.

[1] Deng Xiaoping was then serving as First Secretary of the Southwest Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Mao Zedong
May 13

[2] This refers to Deng Xiaoping's telegram of May 11, 1950, to Mao Zedong and the Central Committee. The telegram stated: The Southwest Bureau "has determined that the principal method of rectification is to link theory with practice, to begin with the examination of work, and to fully develop criticism and self-criticism, so as to achieve the goal of raising the cadres to a higher level. The targets of rectification shall focus on military cadres at all levels and approximately 30,000 local backbone cadres, with cadres at and above the county level as the main focus. In terms of steps, at the local level, it is planned that provincial and regional party committees shall first assemble cadres at and above the county party secretary level for rectification, making them understand that they are the key to all problems; then, through them, lead the rectification of the 30,000 cadres. The duration shall be from half a month to twenty days."