In units at the regimental level and above where there are relatively many uprising officers,
military and political committees may be organized [I]
(October 28, 1950)

To the Political Departments of the East China, Central-South, Northwest, and North China Military Regions:

According to a telegram received on October 21 from the Political Department of the Southwest Military Region: The Yunnan Military Region proposes organizing military and political committees at the army, division, and regimental levels in the Provisional 12th Army and Provisional 13th Army, which are uprising units. The proposal states: “In order to facilitate unity and give play to the initiative of the retained army, division, and regimental officers of the Provisional 12th and 13th Armies, and to better organize them for work, military and political committees shall be organized at all levels of our army, division, and regiment (in units where such officers are retained), absorbing them to participate so as to form collective leadership in administrative matters. Relatively major issues, after being discussed and decided by the Party committee first, may then be implemented through these committees. At the same time, work reviews and mutual criticism shall be conducted through these committees, so as to cultivate their sense of organization and discipline.” We agree with their opinion and request instructions on whether this is permissible, etc. We have approved this proposal. In units under all military regions where there are relatively many uprising officers participating, military and political committees may be organized at the regimental level and above, in order to facilitate unity and reform.

General Political Department of the Central Military Commission
October 28

Chuan

Drafted by Mao Zedong for the General Political Department of the Central Military Commission of the Communist Party of China as a telegram to the Political Departments of the East China, Central-South, Northwest, and North China Military Regions.