Qiaomu:
A Comment on the East China Bureau’s Decision on Consolidating Party Journals at All Levels in East China[1]
(August 28, 1950)


It seems advisable to forward this document to all localities and to instruct all central bureaus to adopt similar measures to consolidate Party journals.


Mao Zedong
August 28
[1]
This refers to the decision of the East China Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, sent on August 25, 1950, to the Central Propaganda Department for examination and approval, concerning the consolidation of Party journals at all levels in East China. The decision stated that there were 72 Party journals in the East China region at that time, and their general editorial policies were unclear; most were disconnected from current practical work, and there was a particular lack of articles providing ideological leadership, policy guidance, and criticism and self-criticism. Some journals even carried articles inconsistent with the spirit of the central directives. To overcome these shortcomings, the decision stipulated: (1) Party journals published by Party committees at all levels shall be divided into two types: regular and irregular. It was redefined that Party committee organs at or above the provincial and regional Party committee level should each publish one regular Party journal, the East China Bureau level should publish three Party journals, and any other localities wishing to publish Party journals must obtain the approval of the East China Bureau. (2) Regular Party journals published by Party committee organs at or above the sub-bureau level should, to the greatest extent possible, select and publish typical grassroots experience and important reports, reprint directives and resolutions from the Central Committee and the Central Bureau relevant to the work of their own region, and carry out ideological and theoretical construction and criticism within the Party, with their primary audience being cadres at or above the county and regimental levels. (3) Regular Party journals published by provincial and regional Party committee organs should focus on exchanging information and experience, publishing local intra-Party directives and decisions, and carrying out ideological and work-related activities within the Party.