Commentary on the Telegram from the Production Team Where the Poor Peasants’ Association Exercises Power (1)
(November 7, 1964)


To be forwarded to Comrade Shaoqi for review.
Please consider this document; it seems appropriate to approve it. It might also be worth circulating it to various localities as a way of putting pressure on them.


In most provinces and autonomous regions, committees of the poor peasants have yet to be established at all levels.


Filed back by Mao Zedong
November 7
(1)
In a telegram dated November 1, 1964, the Hunan Provincial Committee of the CPC sent to the CPC Central Committee, it stated:
“In the areas undergoing socialist education campaigns, we have found that in some brigades and production teams, cadres have simply given up and are engaging in passive resistance; in others, leadership has fallen into the hands of those who have already undergone peaceful evolution; and in still others, it is controlled by enemies who have infiltrated the ranks. These situations are obstructing current work and undermining the socialist education movement. In light of this, we propose issuing a notice in the name of the Provincial People’s Committee and the Preparatory Committee of the Provincial Poor Peasants’ Association, stipulating that in the three types of areas just mentioned, the Poor Peasants’ Association should assume control, with all power vested in it. We request instructions from the Central Committee as to whether this is feasible.”


An draft of the notice was enclosed with the telegram.


On November 12, 1964, the CPC Central Committee issued Document Zhongfa [64] No. 716, a directive addressed to party committees at the county and regimental levels, concerning the exercise of power by the Poor Peasants’ Association in areas where problems were particularly serious. The directive read:
“The Central Committee approves the views of the Hunan Provincial Committee and endorses the draft notice. We hope that the Hunan Provincial Committee will act accordingly.”
“The document received from the Hunan Provincial Committee is hereby forwarded to all localities, which may also, drawing on the Hunan Provincial Committee’s experience, make appropriate arrangements as they see fit.”
(2)
Shaoqi refers to Liu Shaoqi.