Comments on the Request Report Regarding the Clearance of Incarcerated Kuomintang Provincial- and General-Rank Party, Government, Military, and Intelligence Personnel [I]
(September 9, 1975)
It is recommended that all be released. Those who cannot find employment locally should be transferred to other areas for work. Please make a decision as you see fit.
Mao Zedong
September 9, 1975
[I]
In a report submitted on September 7, 1975, by Deng Xiaoping, Vice Chairman of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Premier of the State Council, to the Party Core Group of the Ministry of Public Security, it was stated:
We have conducted a survey and assessment of Kuomintang provincial- and general-rank party, government, military, and intelligence personnel currently detained across the country, and recently convened a meeting on their clearance. The situation and our recommendations are reported as follows:
(1) There are currently 341 such individuals in custody nationwide, while 612 have completed their sentences and been released to work.
(2) Among those now in custody, we propose to clear and release 232 persons who were sentenced primarily or solely for historical offenses. The remaining 109, arrested and sentenced for current crimes, will not be included in this clearance.
(3) Appropriate arrangements should be made for the cleared and released personnel.
(4) It is also proposed to clear and release those who have completed their sentences and been set free. Except for a few with very poor conduct, all should have their “reactionary” labels removed and their civil rights restored. The post-release arrangements for these individuals will follow the same principles as those applied to detainees.
(5) As for the more than 3,300 individuals currently imprisoned for historical offenses and the 10,000 who have already completed their sentences and been released,

Comments on the Request Report Regarding the Clearance of Incarcerated Kuomintang Provincial- and General-Rank Party, Government, Military, and Intelligence Personnel
The clearance of personnel at or above the county-level cadre rank will be considered through investigation and study, in accordance with the spirit outlined above.
Mao Zedong’s comments were written directly on Deng Xiaoping’s submission report.
On September 9, Deng Xiaoping added the following instruction:
“It is proposed to act in accordance with the Chairman’s instructions, with the Ministry of Public Security implementing them. That is, the 109 individuals mentioned in item (4) should also be released. Similarly, the more than 3,000 persons at or above the county-level cadre rank should be handled according to this principle.” The reference to “the 109 individuals in item (4)” refers to the 109 people who had been arrested and sentenced for current crimes.
On December 15, 1975, the judicial authorities decided to grant a general amnesty and release all former Kuomintang party, government, military, and intelligence personnel at or above the county-level cadre rank who were then in custody.
From the 15th to the 18th, judicial organs across the country successively held conferences to announce and carry out the amnesty and release.

--- Notes

1. Issue release orders and simultaneously announce the removal of their “reactionary” label, restoring their civil rights.
2. Those with families may return home; those without homes who voluntarily wish to stay shall be accommodated by their original labor-reform units. Those who desire to return to Taiwan may be permitted to do so, with necessary assistance provided.
3. Upon release, provide clothing, bedding, and a small amount of pocket money; those being sent home will receive travel expenses, and further subsidies may be granted as needed to help them settle after returning.
4. Local civil affairs departments and grassroots organizations will be responsible for matters related to living conditions and education. For those treated as having defected or surrendered, the United Front Work Department will take charge and arrange employment where appropriate.