Commentary on the Hunan Provincial Party Committee’s Report Concerning the Conduct of the Rectification Campaign and Its Opinions (December 19, 1959) To Comrade Peng Zhen [1]: This document [2] may be circulated to various localities for reference. Please act as you see fit. Mao Zedong December 19 Based on the manuscript.

Secondly, a major change has occurred in the political sphere, specifically in the balance of class forces. Printed from Mao Zedong’s manuscript.

Notes [1] Peng Zhen was at that time a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and a secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee.

[2] Refers to the report submitted by the CPC Hunan Provincial Committee to the Central Committee on December 12, 1959, regarding the progress of the rectification campaign and its future plans. The main content is as follows: (1) The struggle against rightist opportunism, launched since early August, is in fact another rectification campaign within the Party. In response, we have put forward three basic requirements: first, to eliminate harmful influences; second, to raise ideological awareness; and third, to strengthen the ranks. At present, the campaign has achieved significant results. (2) The previous phase of the campaign has demonstrated that waging the struggle against rightist opportunism is indeed a political task of great historical significance—an acute class struggle on the ideological front. (Next to this passage, Mao Zedong wrote a commentary, which constitutes Section Two of this text.) (3) During the struggle, we emphasized fully mobilizing the masses and adopting a method that combines focused criticism with candid self-examination and mutual heart-to-heart talks. (4) The specific tasks for the next stage are as follows: first, to carry out in-depth criticism and proper handling of key targets; second, to organize thematic debates; third, to carefully study documents while reflecting on one’s own thinking; fourth, for leading cadres at all levels to engage in in-depth conversations with others, further enhancing their understanding and strengthening the leading core role of the Party; and fifth, to encourage the writing of personal reflections and experiences.

On December 26, 1959, the Central Committee forwarded this report to the party committees of all provinces, municipalities directly under the central government, and autonomous regions, as well as to all central ministries and commissions and party groups.