A Call at the Cadre Evening Meeting on Inspection Work Among Party, Government, Military, and Mass Organizations in Yan’an — 1938, December 13
(This newspaper’s special report) On the evening of the 13th, the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee convened a cadre evening meeting in Yan’an to review inspection work within the party, government, military, and various mass organizations. Comrade Mao Zedong attended to provide guidance and delivered a report on behalf of the CPC Central Committee Secretariat. He called upon all organs, in light of the new stage of the War of Resistance, to overcome all present difficulties, build up fresh strength, and halt the enemy’s offensive so as to prepare for our counteroffensive. He urged all departments engaged in rear-area work to approach their tasks with a fighting spirit, thoroughly conduct inspections, and thereby fulfill their respective duties. He also outlined five key areas for our inspection work:

First, each department should remain at its post and conscientiously discharge its own responsibilities, intensifying the work atmosphere.

Second, we must step up study—of Marxism-Leninism, the revolutionary movement, and Chinese history—beginning with cadres at all levels of the Central Committee who are to delve into advanced theoretical issues, and extending down to clerical staff in every organ who are to familiarize themselves with official documents.

Third, we must vigorously advance the production drive; every individual in all organs, units, and organizations is required to participate in it in order to surmount the current hardships.

Fourth, we need to strengthen and consolidate the united front work.

Fifth, we must improve intra-party life.

He then explained that the purpose of our inspection is twofold: (1) to sum up past work, build upon past achievements, and correct shortcomings; and (2) to set forth future tasks.

Mao Zedong called upon all organs to begin inspections from the bottom up starting on the 15th of this month, completing them by January 15, with a comprehensive overall inspection to be held before January 25. Finally, he specified concrete methods for conducting the inspections. It is reported that over the past few days, organs, mass organizations, and military units have all begun taking action in response to Comrade Mao’s call!
New China Daily, December 20, 1938: “Comrade Mao Zedong Calls on All Organs in Yan’an City to Conduct Thorough Inspections of Their Work; Everyone Should Actively Participate in the Production Drive.”