Comment on the Report on the Situation of Counterrevolutionaries
(July 20, 1955)

To the provincial and municipal Party committees and the Party committees of the autonomous regions:

The report of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee dated July 18 on the elimination of hidden counterrevolutionaries is very good. It is hereby forwarded to you for reference. You are requested to select and report your good experiences to us.

The Central Committee
July 20, 1955

[1] The report of the Shanghai Municipal Party Committee dated July 18, 1955, stated that on July 15, the special committee of the Municipal Party Committee convened the responsible persons of five units—the First (Finance and Trade) Special Group, the Second (Industry) Special Group, the Luwan District Party Committee, Fudan University, and East China Normal University—to give reports. Before the struggle against Right-leaning thinking was launched, the leadership of these units lacked sufficient understanding and did not dare to boldly mobilize the masses and vigorously carry out ideological struggle. Now, in light of specific conditions, the leadership in each unit has taken the lead in delivering reports, conducting self-examinations, and criticizing the currently existing Right-leaning thinking, bringing about a new atmosphere in the movement. Their experiences are as follows:

1. Resolutely and repeatedly carry out the struggle against Right-leaning thinking, with the leadership taking the lead and implementing it at every level, and severely criticize backward units and cadres.

2. Boldly mobilize the masses to launch the struggle, strengthen the training and education of core activists, so that they understand the Party’s policies and are clear about the purpose and direction of the struggle. At the same time, attention should be paid to shaking and dividing the enemy, so as to further eliminate all hidden counterrevolutionaries.

To be reviewed by Liu and Deng. Shangkun (sent by telegram on the 21st, and also printed and distributed to all units).

Mao Zedong
July 20

[1] Liu refers to Liu Shaoqi. Deng refers to Deng Xiaoping, then Secretary-General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Vice Premier of the State Council.
[2] Shangkun refers to Yang Shangkun, then Deputy Secretary-General of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China and Director of the General Office of the Central Committee.