On the Issue of the Authority to Approve the Arrest and Execution of Counter-Revolutionaries
— Telegram to Rao Shushi [1]
(May 28, 1951)

Comrade Shushi:

Your report of May 11 has been received. I agree with all your opinions. Another several batches of counter-revolutionaries in the various cities of East China should be arrested, until the arrests are thoroughly completed. If you deem it necessary, the authority to approve arrests and executions in the various cities may be postponed for one month, to be returned to the next higher level on July 1, so as to facilitate the continued arrests and executions. In addition, please pay attention to the security and protection of yourself and the principal leading cadres at all levels.

Mao Zedong
May 28

[1] Rao Shushi, then serving as First Secretary of the East China Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Chairman of the East China Military and Political Committee.