Instructions on Criticism from Non-Party Persons
(May 16, 1957)

To the Party Committees of all Provinces and Directly Administered Municipalities, the Party Committees of Autonomous Regions, the heads of all central government departments directly under the CPC Central Committee, and the leading comrades of all state organs and people’s organizations:

Since the launch of open discussions—both within and outside the Party—on contradictions among the people, contradictions in various spheres have been revealed with extraordinary rapidity. Detailed information about these contradictions was previously almost entirely unknown to us. It is now being brought to light truthfully, which is most welcome. The criticisms leveled against us by non-party persons, no matter how sharp—such as those made by Professor Fu Ying of Peking University in the field of chemistry—are, by and large, sincere and correct. Such criticisms account for more than ninety percent and are highly beneficial to our Party’s rectification campaign and to the correction of shortcomings and errors.  From the facts that have come to light, it is evident that there has been an incorrect, even wholly unreasonable, practice of issuing orders to non-party members without due regard; a profound lack of trust and respect toward them; the resultant deep chasms and high walls between the two groups; an atmosphere of insincerity and absence of genuine friendship; and widespread estrangement. In matters such as party member rank and salary assessments, as well as promotions, privileges have prevailed: party members were accorded a higher status, while non-party members were relegated to a lower one. Party members often behaved overbearingly, leaving non-members feeling like subservient junior partners. In schools, Party cadres—teachers, teaching assistants, lecturers, and professors—were frequently of lower seniority and lesser scholarly attainment. Rather than humbly learning from teachers and professors of greater experience and erudition, they would instead adopt an arrogant posture toward them. Although not universal, this pattern of behavior was quite widespread. This erroneous course must be completely reversed, and as swiftly as possible. Whether in the cultural and educational sectors or elsewhere, any comrade whose conduct is extremely poor and who has already lost the confidence of the majority should be promptly transferred to another post. These positions should be filled by non-party personnel of long standing and high integrity, or by competent Party members, so as to promote unity both inside and outside the Party and to improve work.

In recent days, a small number of individuals with anti-communist sentiments have been eager to act, making inflammatory statements in an attempt to divert the correct course—namely, the proper resolution of contradictions among the people, the consolidation of the people’s democratic dictatorship, and the advancement of socialist construction—toward a wrong direction. Please take note of this and allow them to speak freely. For the time being (over the next few weeks), refrain from refuting their claims, so that the right-wing elements may expose their reactionary nature before the public. After a suitable interval, you may then consider how best to respond. We had already conveyed this instruction to you on May 14.⑴ To facilitate your study of the situation, we urge you to consult a variety of newspapers. In some localities, such as Shanghai, criticism from non-party sources has been particularly intense. You should carefully assess the local conditions, strive to unite the majority of moderate forces, gradually isolate the right wing, and secure victory.

The Central Committee
May 16, 1957
[1] Refers to the CPC Central Committee’s directive issued on May 14, 1957, concerning the reporting of criticisms from non-party persons regarding the work of Party and government bodies in all areas. The directive stated that recently, non-party figures across the country have been actively voicing criticisms of Party and government activities, which is a positive development. Not only will this assist the Party’s rectification movement and help bridge the gap with non-party members, but it will also enable the exposure of rightist elements among the masses. At present, erroneous criticisms directed at non-party persons, especially the pronouncements of right-wing elements, should not be countered; rather, they should be reported exactly as they are, without any embellishment. The recent tendency of many newspapers to censor or edit such material is inappropriate, as it effectively aids the rightists and gives the impression that we ourselves are afraid of their views. This practice must be immediately corrected. However, reporting on three categories of statements should be strictly controlled: (1) news and remarks likely to affect market prices; (2) information and utterances that contravene national foreign policy and could easily be exploited and manipulated by imperialist forces; and (3) reports and comments involving specific facts pertaining to individual counter-revolutionary cases.