Comments and Revisions on the Draft Instruction Transmitted by the Central Military Commission and the Central Cultural Revolution Group Regarding the Experience of the Jiangxi Provincial Military District in Educating the Troops

(February 10, 1968)

(1)

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Send to Lin and Zhou [2] for further review. A paragraph has been added; please consider and decide.

Mao Zedong
February 10

Published based on the manuscript.

Our country has a large number of local troops (independent divisions, regiments, battalions, and companies). The major military regions, provincial military districts, and field armies have the responsibility to assist them. Those who have made mistakes should be helped to correct their mistakes, and those with achievements should have their achievements publicized. They should be regarded as class brothers equal to ourselves. Of course, one must first ensure that one’s own side is correct. If one’s own mistakes have not yet been corrected, then this task cannot be accomplished. This is a great task, and we must complete this task within approximately one year.

Notes
Published based on Mao Zedong’s manuscript.
[1] Zhou Enlai and others reported to Mao Zedong and Lin Biao on February 9, 1968, stating: “In accordance with the Chairman’s instructions, the ad hoc meeting this evening (the 9th) approved the instruction drafted on behalf of the Central Committee for transmitting ‘The Experience of the Jiangxi Provincial Military District in Educating the Troops with the Two-Line Struggle as the Key Link.’ It is now submitted for your review and approval.” The Central Committee’s draft instruction pointed out that the Party Committee of the Jiangxi Provincial Military District “firmly grasped education on the two-line struggle, enabling some troops that had once made mistakes during their support of the Left to, on the basis of raising their understanding and heightening their proletarian political consciousness, take up the task of supporting the Left in new areas, undergo tempering, and swiftly return to Chairman Mao’s revolutionary line. They were warmly welcomed by the revolutionary masses, and the results were very good.” “The Central Committee holds that their approach is correct and has created conditions for the troops to correct their mistakes and make new contributions.” Following this, Mao Zedong added a paragraph, which constitutes Part Two of this text. On February 10, the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee and the Central Cultural Revolution Group issued this instruction to all major military regions, all services and arms, all provincial military districts, and all military units.
[2] Lin refers to Lin Biao, then Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission of the CPC Central Committee. He was re-elected as a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee at the Eleventh Plenary Session of the Eighth Central Committee and was soon thereafter referred to as Vice Chairman of the Central Committee. Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai.