Comrade Peng Zhen [1]: I have reviewed all the documents regarding ideological self-criticism in schools that you forwarded. It appears that, apart from a few individuals like Zhang Dongsun [2] and serious enemy agents, it would be advisable to help people such as Zhou Binglin [3] through this process, allowing more time if necessary. Peking University’s recent approach to handling Zhou Binglin [4] is commendable and should be extended to other institutions. This constitutes a necessary measure for winning over many reactionary or centrist professors. Mao Zedong Printed on April 21 based on a handwritten draft. Notes [1] Peng Zhen, at that time Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Mayor of the Beijing Municipal People’s Government. [2] Zhang Dongsun, formerly a professor at Yenching University, a member of the Standing Committee of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, and a member of the Central People’s Government. During the War to Resist US Aggression and Aid Korea, he was removed from his post as a government minister for betraying vital state secrets, but was treated leniently without arrest or prosecution, and continued to receive his salary. Subsequently, the Central Committee of the China Democratic League decided to expel him from its ranks.

[3] Zhou Binglin, at the time a professor at the Law School of Peking University. [4] According to a brief report on the Three-Anti Campaign in Beijing’s higher education institutions, submitted by the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee to Mao Zedong and the Central Committee on April 20, 1952, in order to help Professor Zhou Binglin of Peking University’s Law School overcome his concerns about ideological transformation and adopt a correct attitude toward the Three-Anti Campaign, the university’s Party organization systematically dispatched personnel to engage in talks with him. Following discussions between Zhang Xiruo and Ma Yinchu with Zhou, as well as efforts made by Zhou’s daughter (a Communist Party member), Zhou’s stance shifted, and he expressed willingness to listen to criticism from others and conduct further ideological self-criticism.