Letter to Peng Zhen [1] Regarding the Compilation and Printing of Land Reform Materials (January 22, 1951) Comrade Peng Zhen: In the previous collection of land reform materials, please select a few pieces that do not require revision, together with one document—the Jiangxi Provincial Party Committee’s directive of January 7 [2]—and print them into a single volume for distribution within the Party and among democratic personages. Those requiring revision should not be included. It is not important if the number of articles is small; six or seven will suffice. Please consider and act accordingly. Mao Zedong January 22 There is another document concerning the correction of incorrectly classified class components: the Zhejiang Provincial Party Committee’s directive to its subordinate committees [3]. The East China Bureau and the Central Committee have both appended their own comments before forwarding it to all provinces in East China and throughout the country. Once this telegram has been sent, please obtain this document and have it printed along with the others. Printed from the manuscript. Notes [1] Peng Zhen was at that time an alternate member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and deputy director of the Political and Legal Committee of the Government Administration Council. [2] Refers to the directive issued by the CPC Jiangxi Provincial Committee on January 7, 1951, to various local party committees regarding the rectification of shortcomings in the land reform campaign.

[3] Refers to the directive issued by the CPC Zhejiang Provincial Committee on January 13, 1951, to various local party committees concerning the correction of incorrectly classified class components. The directive lists several widespread phenomena in certain areas, such as mistakenly classifying middle peasants and small land renters as rich peasants, and individuals who had previously held puppet government positions as landlords. It analyzes the causes of these errors in upward class reclassification, which mainly stem from several biases present in the thinking and work practices of cadres. These biases are as follows: First, overemphasis on political mistakes while neglecting economic exploitation and living conditions. Second, a purely economic perspective that simply follows whatever the masses say. Third, a lack of clear understanding of class analysis among cadres themselves, leading them to elevate class designations during the classification process. Fourth, laxity in the system of seeking instructions and submitting reports, coupled with inadequate enforcement of the approval procedures. The directive urges leaders at all levels to pay close attention, conduct thorough inspections, strictly adhere to the decision of the Government Administration Council of the Central People’s Government on classifying rural classes, and ensure that cadres study diligently. Any ambiguities arising during class classification must be reported upward for instruction.