Comment on the Draft Directive[1]
(August 7, 1959)

Return to Comrade Peng Zhen[2] for distribution as drafted.
Mao Zedong
August 7
Chuan

This directive of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party points out that Right-deviationist thinking has now become the main danger in our work. Unless it is thoroughly criticized and overcome, it will be impossible to implement the Party’s general line, impossible to achieve a continued leap forward in all construction undertakings, and impossible to fulfill this year’s adjusted production targets and the capital construction plan. Party organizations at all levels must firmly grasp the months of August and September, rouse all their energy, resolutely oppose Right-deviationist thinking, strictly enforce the practice of increasing production and practicing economy, improve quality, reduce costs, and make comprehensive arrangements for and economize on the use of labor power, materials, and financial resources. Opposing Right deviation and rousing energy—now is the time. The opportunity must not be missed, for time will not come again.

On August 7, 1959, the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party issued this directive to the Party committees of all provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, all ministries and commissions of the Central Committee, all Party leading groups in state organs and people’s organizations, the General Political Department, and the Central Committee of the Communist Youth League.

[2] Peng Zhen, then serving as a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee.