Returned to the Premier:
I agree with your opinion. We will discuss it before publishing it, and incorporate the idea of
the "three-in-one" approach. [2] Furthermore, all important editorials should be published
in this manner.
Mao Zedong
February 18, 8:00 p.m.
Publish as is.

[1] The Red Flag magazine editorial, "Cadres Must Be Treated Correctly," was submitted by
Chen Boda, head of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China's Cultural
Revolution Group, to Premier Zhou Enlai for review on February 17, 1967, and forwarded by
Zhou Enlai to Mao Zedong on February 18. This article was included in the February 18th
draft submitted by Zhou Enlai for review. Mao Zedong made some revisions during the
interrogation. On page 8, regarding the use of cadres who have made mistakes, the editorial
stated: "Some cadres can still be recruited to participate in the temporary power structure of
the proletarian revolution and the joint seizure of power." Mao Zedong revised the phrase
"some cadres" to "many cadres." At the end of the draft editorial, Mao Zedong deleted the
following three slogans: "Long live the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution!" "Long live
Chairman Mao's proletarian revolutionary line!" "Long live Chairman Mao, the great teacher,
great leader, great commander, great helmsman!" In addition, there were some textual
revisions. This second part was written on the revised draft of the editorial submitted for
review on February 22nd by Chen Boda and Guan Feng and Wang Li, deputy editors-in-chief
of Red Flag magazine, members of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China's
Cultural Revolution Group. Chen Boda and others wrote on this draft: "A meeting chaired by
the Premier raised some revisions. We have made another revision." This editorial was
published in the fourth issue of Red Flag magazine, published on March 1, 1967, and was
reprinted in advance by the People's Daily on February 23rd.
[2] On February 18, 1967, when Zhou Enlai forwarded the draft editorial to Mao Zedong, he
wrote: "This editorial is very important and timely. I think it is well written. I propose that it
be discussed at a meeting of the Party, government, military, and cultural circles before



publication." Zhou Enlai underlined three paragraphs in the second section of the editorial,
"The Combination of Revolutionary Cadres with the Broad Masses of the Revolutionary
Masses," and noted: "In this section, you can explain and clarify the three combinations at
the local level and within government agencies." In the draft submitted for review on the
22nd, two paragraphs were added to this section. One paragraph read: "Experience has
shown that in provinces and cities where power needs to be seized, temporary power
organs combining the 'three combinations' must be established." This "three-in-one"
temporary power structure is composed of leaders of revolutionary mass organizations that
truly represent the broad masses, representatives of the local People's Liberation Army
garrison, and revolutionary leading cadres. In industrial and mining enterprises where power
needs to be seized, a "three-in-one" temporary power structure must also be established,
composed of revolutionary cadres (leading cadres, general cadres, and technical personnel),
worker representatives (veteran and young workers), and militia representatives. In Party
and government organs where power needs to be seized, the principle of combining
revolutionary leading cadres, revolutionary mid-level cadres, and the revolutionary masses
must be implemented. Only in this way can a representative and authoritative leadership
team be formed to lead the broad revolutionary masses and successfully accomplish the
battle to seize power from the handful of capitalist-roaders in power within the Party.
Another passage reads: "In establishing a "three-in-one" temporary power structure, the
current focus must be on resolving the issue of correctly treating revolutionary cadres."