Annotations on the Request for Instructions and Revisions to the Draft Reply from the Central Committee
(October 24 and 27, 1967)


To All Comrades of the Central Cultural Revolution Group:
This document should be discussed and replied to; at the same time, it is to be forwarded to all localities for implementation.
This is how it should be done.
Mao Zedong
October 24


To the Core Group of the CPC in Qinghai Province, with copy to the Revolutionary Committees (Preparatory Groups) and Military Control Committees of all provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions, as well as to the Major Military Regions and Provincial Military Districts:
The Core Group of the CPC in Qinghai Province, in its telegram of October 19, sought instructions regarding whether party organizational life could be resumed in units where revolutionary committees had already been established. The Central Committee believes that this practice should be adopted throughout the country. However, within party organizations, those who have been conclusively identified as traitors, secret agents, or individuals who behaved extremely badly during the Cultural Revolution and refuse to repent must not be allowed to participate in organizational activities. Party organizations should consist of advanced elements of the proletariat and serve as vigorous vanguard bodies capable of leading the class and the masses in their struggle against class enemies.


To Lin Biao, Zhou Enlai, and all comrades of the Central Cultural Revolution Group:
The Central Committee of the CPC
The Central Cultural Revolution Group
October 27, 1967
4


The telegram has been revised. Please convene another meeting; if it can be approved, it may be dispatched.
Mao Zedong
October 27
Chuan

--- Notes



Text One was written on a telegram sent by the Core Group of the CPC in Qinghai Province to the Central Committee and the Central Cultural Revolution Group on October 19, 1967. The telegram stated: “Revolutionary committees have been successively established in grassroots units throughout our province, but party organizations have yet to be restored. In our work, we frequently encounter issues that require handling by party organizations—for example, some party members and Youth League members who were previously subject to organizational disciplinary measures are now requesting reconsideration of their cases; many members of the rebel factions are seeking admission to the Party or the Youth League. In order to strengthen Party leadership, might we resume party organizational life in units where revolutionary committees have already been formed?” Upon reviewing the telegram, Mao Zedong drew a horizontal line beneath the phrase “might we resume party organizational life” and wrote an annotation, which constitutes Text Two. Text Three consists of revisions made to the draft reply from the Central Committee of the CPC and the Central Cultural Revolution Group, submitted for review by Chen Boda on October 27. The portions printed in Song typeface represent text added or amended by Mao Zedong. On that very day, the Central Committee and the Central Cultural Revolution Group issued this telegram. Text Four was written on a report dated October 27, 1967, addressed to Mao Zedong and copied to Lin Biao, prepared by Zhou Enlai, Chen Boda (then a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Politburo and head of the Central Cultural Revolution Group), Kang Sheng (also a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Politburo and advisor to the Central Cultural Revolution Group), and Jiang Qing (then deputy head of the Central Cultural Revolution Group). The report, drafted by Chen Boda, read: “The Chairman has instructed that our group discuss the Qinghai Core Group’s proposal to resume party organizational life. The group did indeed deliberate on the 26th, but failed to fully grasp the Chairman’s directive. Instead of formulating a clear and direct communiqué in accordance with the Chairman’s thinking, we indulged in unnecessary complications and bureaucratic red tape: we telephoned Qinghai without first seeking the Chairman’s approval, acting entirely on our own initiative. We take full responsibility for this error. Similar mistakes have occurred several times before. We respectfully request that the Chairman issue a severe criticism or mete out disciplinary action.” The report further noted: “Attached is the original text of the telephone call. This call has already been canceled as per the Chairman’s instructions.” The telephone conversation was initiated at 3:00 a.m. on October 26 by Zhang Chunqiao, deputy head of the Central Cultural Revolution Group, who called Liu Xianquan, head of the Qinghai CPC Core Group. During the call, Zhang Chunqiao said: “The Central Committee believes that in units where revolutionary committees have been established, you may, in accordance with your telegram, resume party organizational life. However, this is a major matter involving numerous questions: How exactly are we to ‘resume’? Should all existing party members participate in organizational activities? Should we first rectify the party organizations at the leadership level and then proceed to lower-level organizations, or carry out both processes simultaneously? What should be the relationship between the primary party branches and the revolutionary committees? Equally important is the question of how to admit new members and inject fresh blood into the Party. We urge you to hold discussions, compile a concise report based on the various views expressed, submit it to the Central Committee, and either you yourself or a designated comrade should come to Beijing to join us in deliberations. A formal response will be provided only after the Central Committee has reached a decision.”
[2]


Lin Biao continued to be elected as a member of the Standing Committee of the CPC Central Politburo at the Eleventh Plenary Session of the Eighth CPC Central Committee and was soon thereafter appointed Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Committee. Zhou Enlai refers to Premier Zhou Enlai.