Comments on the Report Concerning the Assignment of Ten Thousand Cadres from Central Organs to Grass-roots Levels〔1〕 (November 15, 1960)  I. Premier: In the course of extolling the overall favorable situation and studying policy, there should be a period when we emphatically highlight the unfavorable conditions prevailing in one-third of the areas—namely, that evil elements have seized power, beatings and deaths occur, grain production has declined, people are still going hungry, the democratic revolution remains unfinished, feudal forces are running rampant, hostility toward socialism is intensifying, and they are sabotaging both the relations of production and the productive forces under socialism.
Rural work is extremely arduous; only those with firm resolve and an unwavering spirit of not fearing hardship should go; otherwise, they cannot go.
Please make your own decision on the above.
Mao Zedong, morning of the 15th.
Printed from the manuscript.

II.
The country as a whole enjoys a generally favorable situation, which covers two-thirds of its territory; yet there also exists a very unfavorable situation, accounting for one-third of the territory.
Within five months, we must completely reverse the entire situation.
The Communist Party must possess this capability: through five months of concerted effort, we shall strive for a bumper agricultural harvest this year, rectify all evil practices and wrongdoings, see sinister influences wane, and righteous morale rise.
Printed from Mao Zedong’s manuscript.

Notes 〔1〕 This first section was written on the first page of the report dated November 10, 1960, submitted by the Central Five-Person Group for Streamlining Cadres and Arranging the Labor Force, concerning the assignment of ten thousand cadres from central-level organs to grassroots levels.
The report stated that various units at the central level had demonstrated great determination and swift action in mobilizing ten thousand cadres to go down to the countryside, promptly launching a mass movement to support agricultural production by sending personnel to rural areas and mountainous regions.
As of November 9, a preliminary list had been drawn up comprising 10,176 cadres slated for deployment, representing 7.33 percent of the total cadre strength of central organs.
Prior to their departure, thorough and meticulous political-ideological education was conducted, with extensive briefings on the current situation and vigorous promotion of the principle that agriculture is the foundation of our economy.
By fully mobilizing the masses and raising their awareness, a wave of enthusiastic applications for rural postings was set in motion, leaving the majority of cadres eager to take part and imbued with the lofty aspiration to transform the face of the countryside.
Meanwhile, even those who remained in their original posts benefited from this educational process.
To ensure that the dispatched cadres were politically reliable, physically fit, and entirely voluntary in their decision, and that they would be able to play an effective role upon arrival in the countryside, it was decided to devote one month after the official announcement of the list to organizing study sessions on the central leadership’s policies and resolutions pertaining to rural work.
At the same time, each individual would undergo another round of careful assessment and screening; anyone found unsuitable would be replaced without exception, and no one who genuinely did not wish to go would be forced against their will.
It was deemed preferable to send fewer cadres than to compromise on quality.
In allocating these cadres, priority was given to strengthening rural areas, while making appropriate provisions for other grassroots units.
The primary focus was on regions where agricultural production faced heavy tasks and numerous problems, and where the local grass-roots organizations were seriously impure.
Following their deployment, the Party organizations of the cadres’ original units were to maintain close contact with them.
Generally, these cadres were expected to serve in the countryside for three years; however, a small number of regular staff members might be rotated according to work requirements.
In the Five-Person Group’s report, mention was made of conducting “thorough and meticulous political-ideological education, with extensive briefings on the current situation.”
Mao Zedong underlined the phrase “extensive briefings on the current situation” and appended a comment, which constitutes the second section of this document.