Comments on the Draft Report of the Ministry of Public Security on the Current Situation of Counter-Revolutionary Activities and Our Countermeasures [1]
(August 15, 1962)

Circulate to all comrades immediately. If you have any opinions, please submit them to Comrade Xie Fuzhi. [3]
Mao Zedong
August 15

The report of the Ministry of Public Security Party Leadership Group to Mao Zedong and the CPC Central Committee (draft of August 8) stated: Since the beginning of this year, mainly after April, cases of theft, robbery, and homicide in some cities have risen to a certain extent. In a small number of cities, public order was temporarily somewhat chaotic, and counter-revolutionary elements have become fairly obviously exposed. Regarding the current sabotage activities of counter-revolutionary elements, we intend to adopt the principle of striking while they expose themselves. In this way, we can appropriately allow the enemy to expose themselves, strike with precision and ruthlessness, and at the same time provide relatively reliable guarantees for security without affecting social order. In terms of concrete methods, we fully agree with the Central Committee’s directive: on the basis of relying on the masses, we will mainly use the method of investigation and case-solving, and generally will not launch mass campaigns to suppress counter-revolutionaries. The focus of this strike against the current sabotage activities of counter-revolutionary elements will be placed on large and medium-sized cities, the southeast coast, railway and communication lines, and some areas where the enemy situation is relatively serious. In the struggle, we must strictly differentiate between and correctly handle the two types of contradictions of different nature—those between ourselves and the enemy and those among the people. Counter-revolutionary elements who have been exposed must all be tracked down and dealt with seriously. In handling them, we must differentiate according to different targets and circumstances. While striking at counter-revolutionary sabotage activities, we must continue to strengthen public security work. In all of their activities, public security organs must conscientiously implement the policies of the Party Central Committee, abide by state laws, and obey the leadership of Party committees.

[2] Referring to the comrades who were then attending the CPC Central Committee Working Conference in Beidaihe.
[3] Xie Fuzhi, then Secretary of the Party Leadership Group and Minister of the Ministry of Public Security.