Commentary Requesting Wang Renzhong and Wang Yanchun〔1〕 to Assist Hunan in Resolving Certain Problems (April 11, 1961)

Comrade Wang Dongxing〔2〕: Please telephone Comrades Wang Renzhong and Wang Yanchun and ask them to arrive in Changsha at 2 p.m. on the 14th, stay here for three to five days, and bring along all the briefs from Hubei’s three-level conference as well as any important documents. They are to help our Hunan comrades resolve a few issues, primarily concerning the mass line—namely, promptly identifying problems, taking the initiative, and seizing the upper hand. It appears that some comrades in Hunan still do not fully grasp these two points. (1) The Twelve Policy Points〔3〕 have not been earnestly and resolutely implemented; in certain counties the masses have not truly been mobilized, there is no vigorous momentum, and a climate of fear prevails where people dare not speak out. (2) From last October until now—already half a year—the Five Erroneous Trends〔4〕 have yet to be comprehensively rectified; in quite a number of areas, power has not yet been wrested from the hands of the enemy. Actions have been delayed, and efforts have been too slow, so that as the peak spring plowing season approaches, the Party has still not gained the initiative in many regions. As the ancients said: “It is never too late to mend the fold after losing a sheep; it is never too late to turn and chase the dog upon seeing the hare.” It is entirely feasible to thoroughly resolve these problems at this three-level conference, and there is no need for concern. The future will surely be bright. This document is also being sent simultaneously to all members of the Secretariat of the Hunan Provincial Party Committee, to Comrade Shaoqi, and to Comrades Tan Zhenlin and Hu Qiaomu〔5〕.

Mao Zedong April £±, 1961 Printed from the manuscript.

Notes 〔1〕 Wang Renzhong was then Second Secretary of the Central South Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and First Secretary of the Hubei Provincial Party Committee. Wang Yanchun was then Secretary of the Secretariat of the Hubei Provincial Party Committee of the CPC. 〔2〕 Wang Dongxing was then Director of the CPC Central Committee Guard Bureau, Deputy Minister of Public Security, and Vice Governor of Jiangxi Province. At this time he was accompanying Mao Zedong in Changsha. 〔3〕 Refers to the CPC Central Committee’s Urgent Instruction Letter of November 3, 1960, “On Current Policy Issues Concerning Rural People’s Communes,” which comprised twelve points. See Note 〔1〕 on page 38 of this volume. 〔4〕 Refers to “Communist Wind,” exaggeration, arbitrary orders, privileges enjoyed by cadres, and blind interference in production. 〔5〕 Tan Zhenlin was then a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Secretary of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee, and Vice Premier of the State Council. Hu Qiaomu was then an alternate member of the Secretariat of the CPC Central Committee and Mao Zedong’s secretary.