Telegram on the Necessity of Striking Counterrevolutionaries Steadfastly, Accurately, and Decisively (January 17, 1951) To Comrades Rao, Chen, Deng Zikui, Tan Zheng, Deng Xiaoping, He Long, Xi Zhongxun, Bo Yibo, Nie Rongzhen, Gao Gang, He Jinian, Ye Jianying, and Fang Fang: We have just received from the Central-South Bureau a report by the 47th Army of Western Hunan regarding the suppression of counterrevolutionaries. In twenty-one counties of Western Hunan, over 4,600 ringleaders of bandits, local tyrants, and secret agents have been executed, with plans to carry out another round of executions locally this year. I believe this approach is entirely necessary. Only in this way can we dampen the enemy’s momentum and greatly uplift the people’s morale. Should we hesitate or show leniency, we will only perpetuate harm to the populace and alienate ourselves from the masses.

In the newly liberated areas of North China, approximately twenty million people had their land redistributed through relatively peaceful means during 1949 and 1950. However, too few ringleaders of bandits, local tyrants, and secret agents were punished, leaving landlords still wielding considerable influence and preventing impoverished peasants from standing up. Sects such as the I-Kuan Tao remain rampant, with a following of over two million adherents. Therefore, it is now necessary to re-emphasize the task of suppressing counterrevolutionaries.

By contrast, in the old liberated areas of North and Northeast China, the thorough suppression of counterrevolutionaries has brought joy to the people, stimulated production, and completely eradicated banditry.

Of course, we must avoid repeating the indiscriminate arrests and executions that occurred in many parts of North China in 1946 and 1947. In the new liberated areas of East, Central-South, Southwest, and Northwest China, particular care must be taken to prevent such mistakes.

As long as we do not execute the wrong individuals and employ proper tactics—conducting extensive propaganda and explanatory work among all sectors of the population both before and after operations, carefully selecting times and locations, proceeding in phases and by unit or locality—we must resolutely impose the death penalty on genuine ringleaders of bandits, ruthless local tyrants, and hardened secret agents, with the full support of the masses. Especially in regions where banditry is rampant, local tyranny is severe, and secret agents are concentrated, several large-scale rounds of executions should be carried out.

By “striking steadfastly,” we mean exercising sound strategy. “Striking accurately” means ensuring that no innocent persons are harmed. And “striking decisively” requires resolutely eliminating all reactionary elements that deserve punishment—while absolutely refraining from executing those who do not. As long as we avoid wrongful executions, even if the bourgeoisie protests, their objections need not concern us.

Now is the opportune moment to seize upon the dual upsurges in the anti-American and land-reform movements; please act swiftly and handle this matter effectively.

Enclosed is the report by the 47th Army of Western Hunan on the suppression of counterrevolutionaries. Mao Zedong January 17 Published according to the original record preserved in the Central Archives. This text has been abridged and included in Volume 5 of the Selected Works of Mao Zedong.

Notes [ ] Rao refers to Rao Shushi, who at the time served as First Secretary of the CPC East China Bureau and Political Commissar of the East China Military Region. Chen refers to Chen Yi, who at the time held the positions of Second Secretary of the CPC East China Bureau and Commander of the East China Military Region. Deng refers to Deng Zikui, who at the time was Third Secretary of the CPC Central-South Bureau and Second Political Commissar of the Central-South Military Region. Tan refers to Tan Zheng, who at the time served as Deputy Secretary of the CPC Central-South Bureau and Third Political Commissar of the Central-South Military Region. Deng refers to Deng Xiaoping, who at the time was First Secretary of the CPC Southwest Bureau and Political Commissar of the Southwest Military Region. He refers to He Long, who at the time was Third Secretary of the CPC Southwest Bureau and Commander of the Southwest Military Region. Xi refers to Xi Zhongxun, who at the time was First Secretary of the CPC Northwest Bureau and Political Commissar of the Northwest Military Region. Zhang refers to Zhang Zongsun, who at the time was First Deputy Commander of the Northwest Military Region. Bo refers to Bo Yibo, who at the time was First Secretary of the CPC North China Bureau and Political Commissar of the North China Military Region. Nie refers to Nie Rongzhen, who at the time was Second Secretary of the CPC North China Bureau and Commander of the North China Military Region. Liu refers to Liu Lantao, who at the time was Third Secretary of the CPC North China Bureau. Gao refers to Gao Gang, who at the time was Secretary of the CPC Northeast Bureau and concurrently Commander and Political Commissar of the Northeast Military Region. He refers to He Jinian, who at the time was Deputy Commander of the Northeast Military Region. Ye refers to Ye Jianying, who at the time was First Secretary of the CPC South China Branch and Commander and Political Commissar of the Guangdong Military Region. Fang refers to Fang Fang, who at the time was Third Secretary of the CPC South China Branch.