Comments and Revisions on the “Instructions of the CPC Central Committee on Handling Strikes and School Boycotts” (Revised [Draft 1]) (March 8, 1957) 1. To Deng Xiaoping [2] for action. Minor revisions [3]. Printed from Mao Zedong’s manuscript on March 8. 2.

All those who have made mistakes should be pointed out their errors so that they may learn a lesson. However, as a general rule, we must not dampen the morale of the broad masses nor that of good cadres. As for the ringleaders among the agitating masses, if their actions are reasonable and lawful, they certainly should not be discriminated against; even if they have committed serious errors, expulsion is usually not the appropriate measure. Rather, they should be retained and educated through work and study. Those evil elements who maliciously incite the masses to oppose the People’s Government should be exposed, enabling the masses to fully understand their true nature. For those among these elements who have committed grave offenses, appropriate punishment should be meted out, but they should not be expelled; instead, we should patiently educate them and help them correct their mistakes. As for confirmed active counter-revolutionaries and heinous criminals who have seriously violated the criminal law, they should be dealt with according to the law, taking into account the specific circumstances. 3.

Party committees at all levels, especially the first secretaries at the provincial, municipal, and autonomous region levels, should immediately take charge of tasks such as keeping abreast of the ideological and political trends in factories, schools, and the press; strengthening ideological and political work; and resolving concrete problems in these areas. They should also ensure that the first secretaries at the prefectural, county, and urban district levels assume responsibility for these tasks. It is inadvisable merely to entrust these duties to comrades like the ministers of propaganda and culture, or to the heads of education and cultural departments, while neglecting to oversee them personally.

Printed according to the mimeographed copy preserved in the Central Archives. (Includes Mao Zedong’s revised version.)

Notes [1] The main content of the “Instructions of the CPC Central Committee on Handling Strikes and School Boycotts” (revised draft) is as follows: (1) Over the past six months, workers’ strikes, student boycotts, mass marches, petitions, and other similar incidents have increased markedly compared with earlier periods, warranting our serious attention. In a socialist society, contradictions do exist between the people and their leaders. However, generally speaking, these contradictions are non-antagonistic within the ranks of the people and can and should be resolved within the framework of democratic centralism by means of “unity—criticism—unity,” without resorting to strikes, boycotts, marches, or petitions. Such methods are usually not in the interests of the people. Therefore, we not only do not encourage them but should strive to prevent their occurrence. (2) The fundamental way to prevent strikes and boycotts is to constantly pay attention to adjusting the problems existing in the internal relations of socialist society, beginning with overcoming bureaucracy and expanding democracy. In factories, while implementing the system of factory director responsibility under the leadership of the party committee, we should also establish and strengthen mass supervision under the same leadership. In schools, it is essential to ensure that student unions, faculty and staff associations, Youth League organizations, and party branch meetings can freely and fully express their opinions on school affairs. In schools where democratic parties are present, their participation in school administration should be actively encouraged, and their views sought regularly. (3) To prevent strikes and boycotts, it is also necessary to intensify ideological and political education among the masses. In recent years, ideological and political work has been weak, while the workforce has grown rapidly, leading to a growing tendency among some workers to disregard the overall and long-term interests. Among students and intellectuals, there has likewise been a gradual rise in the tendency to focus solely on professional matters, ignore politics, and become overly concerned with personal life, status, and other improper considerations. We must conduct targeted education to make the masses understand that building socialism requires a arduous struggle. Leading cadres must earnestly share both hardships and joys with the masses and set an example in this arduous endeavor. In his article “On the Correct Handling of Contradictions Among the People,” Mao Zedong pointed out: “If disturbances occur because our work has been poorly done, we should guide the agitating masses onto the right path, utilizing the disturbances as a special means to improve our work, educate cadres and the masses, and resolve issues that could not be addressed under normal circumstances. When dealing with disturbances, we must proceed with great care, avoiding simplistic approaches and refraining from ‘hasty retreat.’ With regard to the leaders of the disturbances, except for those who violate the criminal law or are active counter-revolutionaries and thus require legal prosecution, we should not readily expel them. In a country as large as ours, a small number of people causing trouble is hardly cause for alarm; rather, it can serve as an opportunity to overcome bureaucracy.” In line with this spirit, the instructions set forth certain requirements and provisions concerning the handling of disturbances.

[2] Xiaoping refers to Deng Xiaoping, who at that time served as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee.

[ ] See sections (2) and (3) of this document. The text printed in Song typeface in section (2) consists of remarks added and revised by Mao Zedong when he reviewed the revised draft of these instructions, while section (3) contains the fifth point he appended to the revised draft. Prior to the official issuance of these instructions, the Central Committee made further textual revisions.