Revisions and Explanations to the Draft Commentary on the Document
(April 23, 1957)
Regarding the issue of a comprehensive inspection of the anti-revolutionary campaign, in order to strengthen our socialist legal system, correctly and factually purge the remnants of counter-revolutionaries, properly handle pending counter-revolutionary cases, and scientifically summarize the experience of the anti-revolutionary campaign so as to uphold upright conduct, criticize unhealthy tendencies, and assist the vast majority of honest and devoted comrades who serve the people on the anti-revolutionary front and in the judicial field—to further raise their political and professional levels—Comrade Mao Zedong, at the enlarged meeting of the Supreme State Council held on February 27, already put forward the requirement for a comprehensive inspection, in accordance with the Central Committee’s intentions.
Peng Zhen, Xiaoping⑶, Shang Junren, please review again.
It was necessary to include this point, so a few additional sentences were added.
Mao Zedong
April 23

[1] The text typeset in Song typeface in Part I is what Mao Zedong added and revised while reviewing the draft commentary of the CPC Central Committee dated April 22, 1957, concerning the forwarding of documents for a comprehensive inspection of the anti-revolutionary campaign. The documents forwarded by the Central Committee were: 1. “Notice from the Supreme People’s Court and the Ministry of Justice on Preparing to Welcome Deputies to the National People’s Congress and Members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference for a Comprehensive Inspection of the Anti-Revolutionary Campaign”; 2. “Notice from the Supreme People’s Procuratorate on Preparing to Welcome a Comprehensive Inspection of the Anti-Revolutionary Campaign”; 3. “Report by the Party Leadership Group of the Ministry of Public Security to Local Public Security Organs Regarding Preparation for a Comprehensive Inspection of the Anti-Revolutionary Campaign.” The Central Committee’s commentary pointed out that, during the inspection work, attention should be paid to the following: (1) This comprehensive inspection should primarily focus on typical and key cases where there are doubts or questions about whether the law was properly followed, rather than re-examining every single case from the past. (2) The subjects of the comprehensive inspection are cases in which the accused are still detained, undergoing labor reform, or under surveillance; the main focus should be on wrongful convictions and miscarriages of justice. Due to changes in the situation, the Party and the state have adopted a more lenient policy than before, which is entirely correct. However, we must never use current sentencing standards to reassess previously concluded cases, let alone overturn those earlier judgments. (3) In general, inspections of the anti-revolutionary campaign should be led by party committees and governments at all levels, together with local deputies to the National People’s Congress, members of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and judicial organs. At the same time, cadres and activists who participated in the anti-revolutionary struggle within the units being inspected must also be involved. Nevertheless, no one should obstruct deputies to the National People’s Congress or members of the CPPCC from having separate conversations with those who were targeted in the struggle, nor should anyone prevent others from seeking private talks with them. (4) During the inspection process, it is essential to adhere to a spirit of seeking truth from facts: both positive and negative examples should be examined, achievements and strengths should be highlighted, as well as errors and shortcomings. Past mistakes and deficiencies in the anti-revolutionary campaign must be criticized, and any violations of law and discipline should be dealt with appropriately; at the same time, care must be taken to protect the enthusiasm of the broad ranks of cadres and the masses. (5) The ten-person group leading the anti-revolutionary campaign is an organization responsible for guiding the masses in purging counter-revolutionary elements; its task is to lead the people in identifying and reporting counter-revolutionaries. It is not a judicial organ and does not undertake the arrest, prosecution, or trial of offenders. The commentary also urged party committees at all levels to attach great importance to this inspection work, effectively leading and supervising the ten-person groups, public security, procuratorial, court, and other relevant departments to carry out this work together. Localities should promptly report significant developments and problems encountered during the inspection to the Central Committee and, upon completion of the inspection, submit a summary report to the Central Committee. Part II consists of Mao Zedong’s explanations regarding his revisions to the draft central commentary.
[2] Peng Zhen was then a secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee. Xiaoping refers to Deng Xiaoping, who at that time served as General Secretary of the CPC Central Committee.
[3] Shang Kun refers to Yang Shangkun, who was then an alternate member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Director of the Central Office.