Commentary on the East China Bureau’s Telegram Concerning Points to Be Observed in Dealing with Banditry (January 24, 1951)

Comrades Zi Hui, Jianying, Xiaoping, Zhongxun, Yibo, and Gao Gang [1]:  I find the points set forth in the East China Bureau’s telegram to the Fujian Provincial Committee regarding measures to be taken in suppressing banditry to be correct. In order to crush the enemy’s morale and boost the people’s spirit, we should boldly execute several batches of bandit leaders, habitual criminals, local tyrants, as well as key agents and heads of secret societies against whom there is solid evidence. To avoid mistakes that might put us on the defensive, however, with respect to agents and secret society leaders for whom no evidence yet exists, we should conduct thorough investigations to obtain conclusive proof, rather than arbitrarily arresting and killing people. It is essential to clearly distinguish between these two categories; I request that you convey this instruction to your respective subordinate organs for their attention.

Mao Zedong January 24 Based on the manuscript copy.

Notes [1] Zi Hui refers to Deng Zihui, who at the time served as Third Secretary of the Central South Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Jianying refers to Ye Jianying, who at the time was First Secretary of the South China Branch of the CPC Central Committee. Xiaoping refers to Deng Xiaoping, who at the time was First Secretary of the Southwest Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Zhongxun refers to Xi Zhongxun, who at the time was First Secretary of the Northwest Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Yibo refers to Bo Yibo, who at the time was First Secretary of the North China Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Gao Gang was then Secretary of the Northeast Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.