Comment on the Report on the Movement Situation[!]
(February 15, 1963)

The Hunan report is very good. Print and distribute it to the comrades at the meeting[3] for study. The experience of Hebei[4] is also very worthy of introduction. I ask the comrades of the Hebei Provincial Party Committee to consider whether they can write a brief report to be printed and distributed for the comrades at the meeting to read.

Mao Zedong
February 15

[!] Refers to the report on the situation of the socialist education movement submitted by the Hunan Provincial Party Committee of the Communist Party of China to the Central-South Bureau, the Central Committee, and Mao Zedong on February 8, 1963. The report stated: In the previous phase of our province’s socialist education movement, the achievements were remarkable. However, conditions in all respects indicate that the current class struggle is very intense. Whether in rural areas or towns, the sabotage activities of class enemies are rampant, and a fierce "black wind" opposing socialism is blowing hard. For this reason, in late December last year, we made further arrangements for the province-wide socialist education movement, deciding to place the emphasis on class education, stressing the thorough exposure of the lid on the current class struggle, launching a tit-for-tat struggle, educating cadres, mobilizing the masses, whipping up the "east wind" on a grand scale, striking at the enemy, and curbing the "black wind." In the movement, we adhered to the principle of proceeding from top to bottom and from inside to outside, first educating the cadres and then educating the masses. First resolve internal problems, then resolve external problems. The method of educating cadres is from top to bottom, conducting training level by level, laying down burdens level by level, and carrying out work deeply and thoroughly level by level. Leadership taking the lead and carrying out work level by level—this is the most fundamental experience. In all localities, the county party committees generally train cadres at all levels in three batches: the first batch concentrates on training the backbone cadres at the county, district, and commune levels; the second batch concentrates on training the backbone cadres of the production brigades; the third batch trains the backbone cadres of the production teams in separate areas. The general process is: First, thoroughly lift the lid on the class struggle and its reflections within the Party. Second, mobilize everyone to lay down their burdens. Third, handle problems correctly. When launching the movement among the masses, emphasis is placed on proceeding from point to area in an orderly manner. The specific methods are: First, convene poor peasant forums, where on one hand the class struggle is discussed at length to expose enemy activities and the "black wind," and on the other hand cadres confess their own problems to the poor peasants and listen to their criticism. Second, establish the dominance of the poor peasants, create a strong public opinion, and thoroughly discredit the "black wind." Third, in handling problems, emphasize drawing two clear distinctions, namely the distinction between ourselves and the enemy, and the distinction between serious and ordinary cases. Over one month of the socialist education movement has remarkably aroused the enthusiasm of the broad masses of cadres and people, beaten back the arrogance of the enemy, curbed the "black wind," further consolidated the collective economy, and promoted current production.

[2] This comment was written on a letter from Zhang Pinghua, First Secretary of the Hunan Provincial Party Committee of the Communist Party of China, dated February 14, 1963, submitting the report on the situation of the socialist education movement to Mao Zedong.

[3] Refers to the Central Work Conference of the Communist Party of China then being held in Beijing.

[4] Refers to the methods described in the report of the Hebei Provincial Party Committee of the Communist Party of China on implementing the resolutions of the Tenth Plenary Session of the Eighth Central Committee of the Party in the countryside and launching the rectification and commune consolidation movement.