Lin Biao’s Note of Disagreement with the Military’s Reporting of Local Conditions to Party Committees at All Levels
(November 15, 1960)
Please have Fu Chun inform Xiao Hua that matters should be handled in accordance with Comrade Lin Biao’s views.[3]
Mao Zedong
November 15
Chuan
Lin Biao,
at that time Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Committee, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, and Vice Premier of the State Council.
[2]
Xiao Hua,
at that time Deputy Director of the General Political Department of the People’s Liberation Army.
[3]
In a report dated November 10, 1960, addressed to Mao Zedong and others, Lin Biao stated: “I am submitting a copy of the General Political Department’s proposal to issue an order directing all stationed troops to report local conditions to the respective party committees. I believe the intent behind this proposal is sound; however, I fear that once such an order is issued, relations between the stationed troops and local party committees may deteriorate, which would be detrimental to the Party’s unified leadership. It could lead to a situation where the military interferes in Party affairs from outside the Party framework. Military cadres are no more familiar with local work than their local counterparts, and they are easily influenced by their families and well-to-do middle peasants, often making rash criticisms of local affairs and indulging in subjective, haphazard talk. Many military officers possess greater seniority than the locally responsible cadres, potentially resulting in seniority-based interference in local work. This would place considerable pressure on Party cadres and might even trigger nationwide antagonism between the military and local authorities, fostering a trend of unwarranted military commentary on local matters—clearly not conducive to effective work. When military personnel participate in local work and the local party committee specifically assigns them the task of reporting on local conditions, the military may, as instructed, undertake this responsibility; such a localized, concrete practice is acceptable. However, if the local party committee has not assigned the military this duty, the military must refrain from arbitrary intervention. Any opinions the military may have regarding local affairs should be communicated solely through the military’s political organs. In light of these considerations, I therefore do not concur with issuing an order making the reporting of local conditions one of the primary tasks of the armed forces.”