Comrade Peng Zhen II l:
Comments on the Briefing Report Regarding the Three-Anti Campaign
(April 21, 1952)


I have read all the documents forwarded concerning ideological self-criticism in schools. It appears that, apart from a few individuals like Zhang Donghe2) and serious enemy agents, persons of the caliber of Zhou Binglin131 would be best assisted in passing through this stage; the time frame could be somewhat relaxed. Peking University’s recent approach to handling Zhou Binglin141 was very sound. It should be extended to other institutions, as this constitutes a necessary measure for winning over numerous reactionary or centrist professors.


Mao Zedong
21st day of the fourth month
Chuan


Peng Zhen, at that time Secretary of the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee and Mayor of the Beijing Municipal People’s Government.
[2]
Zhang Dongcai was formerly a professor at Yenching University, an Executive Committee member of the Central Committee of the China Democratic League, and a member of the Central People’s Government. During the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea, he was stripped of his post as a government member for betraying vital state secrets. However, he received lenient treatment: he was not arrested or prosecuted, 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 was then a professor at the Law School of Peking University.
[4]


In the Beijing Higher Education Institutions’ Briefing on the Three-Anti Campaign, submitted by the CPC Beijing Municipal Committee to Mao Zedong and the Central Authorities on April 20, 1952, it was stated:
In order to help Professor Zhou Binglin of Peking University’s Law School better overcome his concerns about ideological reeducation and adopt a correct attitude toward the Three-Anti Campaign, the Party organization at Peking University systematically dispatched personnel to hold talks with him under organized leadership. Following discussions between Zhang Wu-ruo and Ma Yinchu with Zhou, as well as efforts made by Zhou’s daughter (a Communist Party member), Zhou’s stance underwent a noticeable shift. He expressed willingness to accept criticism from others and to conduct further ideological self-criticism.