Over the past twenty years, although our Party’s study of Chinese history, Chinese society, and the international situation has gradually improved, it remains profoundly inadequate. A style characterized by superficiality, sketchiness, a failure to grasp matters in depth, self-righteousness, subjectivism, and formalism continues to be seriously prevalent within the Party. Since the outbreak of the War of Resistance, we have made considerable progress in understanding Japan, the Kuomintang, and the social milieu; subjectivist and formalist tendencies have also diminished. Nevertheless, much of what has been understood remains cursory and caricatural, lacking systematic and thorough analysis. Subjectivism and formalism have yet to be completely eradicated. Moreover, the full gravity of the severe losses inflicted upon the revolutionary cause over the past two decades—losses attributable to subjectivism, formalism, and naivete stemming from ignorance—has yet to be fully recognized by either the Party’s leading bodies or its members as a whole.  Among the comrades who have come to Yan’an to deliver reports, the majority still lack a systematic and meticulous understanding of both the internal and external environments of the regions in which they work—whether with regard to social-class relations, the enemy and puppet forces, friendly parties and armies, or their own operational tasks. Many Party members have yet to grasp the fundamental truth that there can be no valid discourse without prior investigation. They have yet to appreciate that systematic, comprehensive social surveys constitute the bedrock upon which sound policy decisions must rest. Nor do they realize that the primary responsibility of the Party’s leadership organs lies in comprehending the situation and formulating appropriate policies; if the situation is not properly understood, policy will inevitably go astray. Furthermore, they remain unaware that Japanese imperialism has conducted an extraordinarily exhaustive and meticulous examination of China, and that even the Kuomintang possesses far more extensive knowledge of domestic and international conditions than our Party does. They likewise fail to recognize that a hasty, self-assured, subjectivist approach is the very first manifestation of impure Party character, whereas a spirit of seeking truth from facts and maintaining a close link between theory and practice represents the most basic standard for a party of firm and resolute character.  Our Party has now grown into a major political organization bearing a momentous revolutionary mission. It must vigorously guard against vacuity and shallowness, root out subjectivist practices, adopt concrete measures, and intensify investigations and studies of history, of the surrounding environment, and of the specific circumstances prevailing both at home and abroad, within provinces, counties, and districts. Only in this way can we effectively organize the revolutionary forces and overthrow the rule of Japanese imperialism and its lackeys. To this end, the following measures are hereby adopted:

(1) The Central Committee shall establish a research and investigation body to collect materials on political, military, economic, cultural, and socio-class relations both at home and abroad, subject them to careful analysis, and serve as a direct advisory organ for the Central Committee’s work.

(2) All central bureaus, sub-bureaus, regional or provincial Party committees in independent areas, the senior command organs of the Eighth Route Army and the New Fourth Army, and the governments at all levels in the base areas shall likewise set up their own research and investigation bodies. These bodies are to gather and analyze materials pertaining to the political, military, economic, cultural, and socio-class dynamics—both hostile, friendly, and our own—in their respective regions, serving as direct assistants to local Party and government organs while simultaneously supplying the Central Committee with relevant information.

(3) As examples of methods for collecting materials, the following may be cited: First, collect newspapers from all three sides—enemy, friendly, and ourselves—that cover politics, the military, the economy, culture, and socio-class relations…

(A decision on investigation and research drafted by Comrade Mao Zedong for the CPC Central Committee, copied from The History of the Chinese Revolution.)