Forward Comrade Huang Kecheng’s[1]
Comments on the Issue of Suppressing Counterrevolutionaries in Hunan
(March 30, 1951)

Comrade Huang Kecheng, and to be notified to Zihui,[2] Shushi, Xiaoping, Jianying, Zhongxun, Yibo, Gao Gang:[2]
Comrades:
I believe Comrade Huang Kecheng’s opinion of March 23[3] is correct. Suppressing counterrevolutionaries must at all times be accurate, meticulous, planned, and step-by-step, and must be completely

[1] Huang Kecheng, then Secretary of the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee.
[2] Zihui, i.e., Deng Zihui, then Third Secretary of the Central-South Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Shushi, i.e., Rao Shushi, then First Secretary of the East China Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Xiaoping, i.e., Deng Xiaoping, then First Secretary of the Southwest Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Jianying, i.e., Ye Jianying, then First Secretary of the South China Sub-Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Zhongxun, i.e., Xi Zhongxun, then First Secretary of the Northwest Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Yibo, i.e., Bo Yibo, then First Secretary of the North China Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. Gao Gang, then Secretary of the Northeast Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.
[3] Refers to the opinion on the issue of suppressing counterrevolutionaries in Hunan put forward by Huang Kecheng in a telegram to Deng Zihui and reported to Mao Zedong on March 23, 1951. The telegram stated that since Hunan Province implemented the Central Committee’s October directive on suppressing counterrevolutionaries, a large number of counterrevolutionary elements had been suppressed, and the majority of the people supported it. This resolute action crushed the enemy’s arrogance, inspired the masses’ fighting will, sobered the minds of cadres, and yielded immense gains. However, isolated instances of expanding the scope of arrests and simplistic handling methods have already occurred. The cadres below are highly motivated; if suppression continues resolutely and fiercely, the number of executions will greatly exceed the limits set by the Central Committee. From now on, the main task will be dealing with hidden counterrevolutionaries, and it has already begun to involve internal matters; the struggle against hidden counterrevolutionaries requires even greater meticulousness. Adopting the current fierce methods will inevitably lead to chaos. Therefore, we intend to immediately contract and halt large-scale arrests and executions, shift to regular work, restrict the scope of arrests and executions, and carry out the struggle in a more planned and step-by-step manner.

controlled from above. Arrests must follow the method used by the Tianjin Prefecture of issuing arrest warrants and making arrests based on the warrants,[4] and must not be made arbitrarily. Wherever there are situations like those described by Huang Kecheng as "expanding the scope of arrests and simplistic handling methods," they should immediately be contracted, reviewed, and conclusions drawn. Where there is hesitation and failure to proceed, action should be promoted. Please pay close attention to these two types of situations, manage them well, and avoid causing disorder. If you deem it necessary, please forward this telegram to all provinces and municipalities.

Mao Zedong
March 30