Comments on the Question of Launching a Campaign Against Rightist Tendencies within Organs Directly Affiliated with the CPC Central Committee (October 22–23, 1959) 1. To Comrades Peng Zhen and Shang Kun [1]: Here [2] there is no mention of the situation in the various units of organs directly affiliated with the Central Committee. I wonder whether these same three situations also exist there? Please expedite matters to ensure that this campaign is carried forward more thoroughly. Mao Zedong, October 22 2. [3]·· Mao Zedong reviewed it on the morning of October 23. After Comrades Shao Qi and Peng Zhen had examined it, it was returned to Shang Kun for safekeeping.

3. To Comrade Shang Kun: The organs directly affiliated with the Central Committee should maintain close contact with state organs and draw upon their experience. Their momentum is considerable. Mao Zedong, October 23, printed from the manuscript. Notes [1] Peng Zhen was then a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a Secretary of the Central Secretariat. Shang Kun refers to Yang Shangkun, who at that time served as Alternate Secretary of the CPC Central Secretariat, Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Secretary of the Committee for Organs Directly Affiliated with the Central Committee. [2] Refers to Article “There Are Three Types of Leadership in Various Departments of Central State Organs Regarding the Campaign Against Rightist Tendencies,” reprinted in No. 102 of the “Situation Briefing” compiled by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee on October 19, 1959. The article points out that leadership in various departments of central state organs regarding the campaign against rightist tendencies can be categorized into three types: First, units where leadership possesses both the determination and the means to thoroughly implement the campaign, thereby exercising strong leadership. Such units account for approximately eighty percent. Second, units where the masses have largely been mobilized, but where leadership lacks the resolve and methods to provide effective guidance, representing about ten percent. Third, units where neither the masses have been mobilized nor does the leadership demonstrate the requisite courage to initiate the struggle, resulting in very slow progress. These also comprise roughly ten percent. This section (1) was written in that briefing. [3] These comments were penned on a report submitted by the Party Committee of Organs Directly Affiliated with the CPC Central Committee to the Central Committee on October 23, 1959, concerning the status of the campaign against right-wing opportunism and the defense of the Party’s General Line within those organs. The report stated that the overall situation of the rectification and study campaign remains positive, but in some organs, implementation has been relatively slow and insufficiently vigorous. Accordingly, we have put forth the following requirements for all organs directly affiliated with the Central Committee: First, it must be recognized that this campaign represents an extremely profound struggle between two paths during the period of socialist construction, and leaders of each organ must make a firm commitment, personally assume command, and press ahead with urgency. Second, the masses must be fully mobilized, and large posters should be posted extensively. The key to mobilizing the masses lies in leadership setting an example by taking the lead in self-criticism. Third, we must oppose dogmatic approaches that involve rote learning of documents without connecting them to actual ideological conditions. Fourth, we must continuously combat all forms of rightist thinking that hinder the advancement of the campaign, ensuring that the struggle is deepened and intensified. This section (3) was also included in that report.