Comments on the Draft Central Directive Concerning the Adjustment of Certain Working Relationships (August 12, 1950)

Zhou [1]: It would seem advisable to first print a number of copies of this document, solicit opinions from the Party Group of the Government, discuss it, and obtain its approval before issuing it.

Mao Zedong, August 12.  Printed from the manuscript.

Notes  [1] Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai.  [2] Refers to the “Central Directive on the Adjustment of Certain Working Relationships” (draft), dated August 12, 1950.

The draft directive points out that the Chinese revolution has achieved a decisive victory and that a unified Central People’s Government has been established. Consequently, the rural outlook and the blanket, one-size-fits-all working methods that had developed over a long period in the rural environment must be thoroughly abandoned and replaced by a holistic, centralized and unified mindset, together with scientific methods based on division of labor and cooperation. Whether between the central authorities and local organs, between higher and lower levels, or between different sectors, all should, under unified principles, policies, tasks, and plans, appropriately divide labor and cooperate closely, thereby establishing proper working relationships characterized by both unified leadership and scientific specialization. Specifically, the following aspects of working relationships need to be adjusted: (1) the relationship between certain organizations under the central government—such as state-owned factories, cooperatives, financial, trade, and tax agencies, and national universities—which are simultaneously under the leadership of various central departments and of the local party committees in their respective areas; (2) the relationship between mass organizations—such as trade unions, the Youth League, cooperatives, women’s organizations, and cultural groups—from the central level down through all tiers of their own organizations and the local party committees; (3) the relationship between municipalities and districts within cities.