Chapter 84 The mass arrest of counter-revolutionaries and the killing of political prisoners 1970

Journalist: “Are you launching another Anti-Rightist Campaign?”

Mao: “Yes, following the purging of the class ranks, in 1970, we immediately launched the so-called ‘One Strike, Three Anti’ campaign (to strike against counter-revolutionaries, corruption, theft, speculation, and profiteering, waste and extravagance). In reality, the focus was on counter-revolutionaries, while the ‘Three Anti’ was just a façade. The so-called counter-revolutionaries referred to political offenders, those who expressed dissent, and those with ideological differences. Throughout the country in 1970, over 1.84 million counter-revolutionaries were unearthed, with over 290,000 arrested and tens of thousands killed. This nationwide movement shifted its focus to the ‘Criticism of Chen Boda and Rectification of Conduct’ in November 1970, with the target turning toward Lin Biao.”

Journalist: “Are you primarily targeting political offenders, ideological offenders, and those who express dissent?”

Mao: “Yes, in Beijing on March 5, 1970, a mass rally was held at the stadium where 100,000 people attended the sentencing assembly and 19 individuals, including Yu Luoke, were executed for their expression of dissent. Yu Luoke wrote ‘On Class Origins’ and criticized ‘The Theory of Bloodline,’ which had a significant influence nationwide.

In Nanjing on February 12, 1970, a public trial with tens of thousands of people took place, resulting in the execution of members of the Marxist-Leninist Group and the criticism of Cha Jinhua, who was associated with the Cultural Revolution. That same night, in the streets, Chen Zhuoran and Su Xiaobin, who had just moved to the area for reeducation, posted slogans: ‘Down with Lin Biao! Down with Jiang Qing! Cha Jinhua will be eternally immortal! We need genuine Marxism-Leninism!’

On April 28, 1970, Chen Zhuoran and 12 others were executed by firing squad in Nanjing, and Su Xiaobin was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

On March 6, 1970, a mass rally was held in Nanjing with 100,000 attendees, and 11 current counter-revolutionaries were sentenced to death and immediately executed. Several dozen others received life imprisonment or fixed-term sentences and were paraded in more than ten prison vehicles while millions of people were organized to watch alongside the road.

In Nanjing on July 30, 1970, another 24 individuals were executed, and on December 10, 1970, another 10 individuals were executed.

These four groups in Nanjing consisted of 57 individuals who were charged with similar crimes, attacking the Cultural Revolution, attacking me, and attacking Lin Biao. It was not until around 1980 that they were all exonerated.”

Journalist: “Beijing and Nanjing were both heavily involved in the crackdown on counter-revolutionaries. What about other places?”

Mao: “In Shanghai and its suburban counties, 64,000 people were targeted, and 520 died.

In Guangdong province, over 26,000 class enemies were uncovered. In January 1972, Guangzhou claimed to have solved more than 2,100 major cases and discovered 147 counter-revolutionary groups.

In Zhejiang, over 67,900 people were investigated and 2,200 were sentenced. Even sitting on a newspaper with Chairman Mao’s quotations printed on it during meetings could lead to being branded as a counter-revolutionary.”

Journalist: “So even accidentally sitting on a newspaper with your quotations could lead to trouble?”

Mao: “Yes, in Harbin on March 1, 1970, a mass rally with 100,000 attendees was held, resulting in a large number of executions. Heilongjiang province claimed to have solved over 3,100 political cases and over 37,000 economic cases. More than 5,900 individuals were labeled as counter-revolutionaries. Over 72,000 individuals were accused of corruption, speculation, and profiteering, but the majority of these cases were false.

In Changchun, there were five large-scale public trials in 1970, with over 1,000 individuals sentenced for various crimes, most of which were erroneous. There were 248 individuals who were forced to commit suicide.”

Journalist: “Many people were driven to suicide due to numerous false and erroneous cases?”

Mao: “Yes, in Xi’an from 1970 until the end of March, over 150,000 reports and exposures of various issues were made, involving over 42,000 individuals. Within two months, 160 people committed suicide, and 125 died. At Xi’an Jiaotong University, 35 individuals were falsely labeled as counter-revolutionaries, and six were driven to suicide. In Ankang County, 250 people were arrested, 17 were executed by firing squad, and 20 committed suicides.”