Commentary by the Central Committee on the Briefing from the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee Regarding Its Implementation of the Central Committee’s Urgent Instruction Letter [1] (November 23, 1960)  I. To all Central Bureaus, Provincial Party Committees, Municipal Party Committees, and Autonomous Region Party Committees:  One copy of the Sichuan Provincial Party Committee’s briefing dated November 20, 1960 [2] is being forwarded for your reference.  The Central Committee November 23, 1960  After Zhou, Fu Chun, and Zhen Lin [3] have reviewed it, please transmit it immediately by telegram, then pass it to Bo Da [4] for his review; return the original to Mao after use.  Printed according to Mao Zedong’s manuscript.  Notes  [1] Refers to the Central Committee’s urgent instruction letter of November 3, 1960, concerning current policy issues in rural people’s communes. See note [1] on page 38 of this volume.  [2] This briefing from the CPC Sichuan Provincial Committee was addressed to the Southwest Bureau and also reported to the Central Committee and to Mao Zedong.

The content is as follows:  I. Upon receipt of the Central Committee’s urgent instruction letter of November 3, all pilot communes adopted various forms—such as meetings of cadres, representatives of commune members, and general assemblies of commune members—to read out and explain each provision verbatim. Although different types of pilot communes exhibited varying responses, the overall situation was positive. These measures quickly stabilized the morale of the masses, stimulated their enthusiasm, and promoted production and other work, leading to a gradual curbing and correction of the “communist wind” of equalization and arbitrary redistribution, as well as other unhealthy tendencies, among some cadres.  II. The vast majority of cadres at all levels within the communes supported the Central Committee’s instructions, though the specific emphasis of their support varied. A small minority, however, displayed concerns or resistance to varying degrees; most of these were individuals who had previously taken advantage of the equalization and arbitrary redistribution to engage in improper conduct, or who had committed serious errors in their work or工作作风. In addition, certain elements—landlords, rich peasants, counter-revolutionaries, and bad elements—seized the opportunity to sabotage and opportunistic wealthy farmers attempted to profit from the confusion.  III. The pilot programs have demonstrated that the directives of the Party Central Committee and Chairman Mao are entirely correct and timely, and thus possess great power. The Provincial Party Committee has decided that in any areas where production progress is slow and tasks are poorly completed, immediate publicity campaigns should be launched to disseminate the twelve policies prescribed by the Central Committee, clearly signaling a firm commitment to implementation, mobilizing the enthusiasm of the masses, advancing current production and work, and achieving concrete results, so as to concentrate efforts in December on carrying out a campaign to rectify both thought and the communes themselves.  [3] Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai. Fu Chun is Li Fuchun, and Zhen Lin is Tan Zhenlin, all of whom at that time served as members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, secretaries of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and vice premiers of the State Council.  [ ] Bo Da is Chen Boda, who at that time was an alternate member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, director of the Central Research Office on Political Issues, deputy head of the Central Rural Work Department, and Mao Zedong’s secretary.