One of the basic principles of the Communist Party is to rely directly on the broad masses
of the people.
(1968)

Unite all the broad masses that can be united and establish the comprehensive rule of the
proletariat over the minority of bourgeois elements. [1]
Who gave us our power? It was given to us by the working class, by the poor peasants and
lower-middle peasants, and by the vast majority of the working people, who make up more
than 90% of the population. We represent the proletariat and the people. We have defeated
the enemies of the people, and the people support us. One of the basic principles of the
Communist Party is to rely directly on the broad masses of revolutionary people.

[1] In the editorial of the fourth issue of the Red Flag magazine published on 14 October
1968, titled "Absorbing Fresh Blood from the Proletariat — An Important Issue in Party
Rectification Work," this sentence was printed in bold type.
[2] In this editorial in Red Flag magazine, the phrase ‘Chairman Mao recently pointed out’ is
followed by a quotation in bold type. On 16 October 1968, the People's Daily reprinted this
editorial; on 17 October, the People's Daily published this passage on its front page.