The cadres are also good; they have been working for two years now. But the Red Guards are not up to par—they lack experience. When it comes to such major matters, we can’t really rely on them.
We must depend on the cadres. The vast majority of them are sound. Many tasks should be entrusted to the cadres, as it is they who implement policy. Some provincial party secretaries need to be quickly rehabilitated so that they can conduct thorough self-criticism. Certain provincial party secretaries previously made mistakes because they were afraid of the masses and mobilized a group of people to “protect” them, which ultimately harmed themselves.
As for cadres who have committed errors, we must treat them correctly and not simply overthrow them across the board. As long as they are not anti-Party or anti-socialist elements and persist in their wrongdoings despite repeated education, we should allow them to reform and encourage them to redeem themselves through meritorious service. Learning from past mistakes to prevent future ones, curing the sickness to save the patient—this has always been the Party’s traditional policy. Only in this way can those who have erred genuinely come to accept their faults, and only then can the proletarian revolutionary faction win the heartfelt support of the majority, securing an invincible position. Otherwise, the situation would be very dangerous.
We must cherish our cadres and support revolutionary leaders in taking charge. It is still premature to have young revolutionary activists lead at present; there needs to be a process of cultivation. Nevertheless, these young people are admirable and constitute the successors to the proletarian revolutionary cause.
We now need to implement the “three-combination” approach, enabling youth to participate in leadership roles across all sectors. We should not look down upon young people. Those in their twenties or thirties can certainly be entrusted with responsibilities. If we do not bring the new generation into positions of responsibility, how will they gain the necessary experience? This “three-combination” involves old, middle-aged, and young cadres; anyone over twenty years old can participate.
We advocate for giving young people opportunities to take the stage. Some argue that young people lack experience, but experience is gained precisely by stepping onto the stage. In the past, we spoke about cultivating successors to the proletarian revolutionary cause, yet that remained largely a formal declaration. Now, we must put this into concrete organizational practice.
The “three-combination” requires integrating old, middle-aged, and young cadres. We do not advocate completely ousting the older generation; after all, elderly cadres are gradually passing away.
The most fundamental principle of reforming state organs is maintaining close ties with the masses. Institutional reforms must be appropriate…

Instructions on Cadre Issues
Maintain close ties with the masses and avoid bureaucratic institutions.
In the past, Party and Youth League members, influenced by “Self-Cultivation,” became detached from the masses and lost independent thought, turning themselves into docile tools. Consequently, many localities opposed the early restoration of Party and Youth League organizations, suggesting a delay of half a year or a full year before re-establishing them. The Cultural Revolution was not only a major review of cadres but also of Party and Youth League members. The vast majority were undoubtedly good. Some cadres faced considerable public criticism, and their return to work could be postponed for two or three years, while others could resume immediately. Those who had erred should be given a chance to correct their mistakes. We need to release those who were wrongly labeled as rightists; without rightists, there can be no leftists. I have always opposed introducing a salary system combined with military ranks.