Central Committee’s Endorsement of Gao Gang’s Report on the Three-Anti Campaign (November 20, 1951) To all Central Bureaus; please also forward this to sub-bureaus, party committees of provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities directly under the central government, party leading groups of governments at the same level, and military region party committees at the same level; and inform the heads of all departments of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC, as well as the party leading groups of all departments of the Central People’s Government: We are hereby transmitting to you one copy of Comrade Gao Gang’s report dated November 1 of this year concerning the launch of a campaign to increase production and practice economy, and further intensifying the struggle against corruption, waste, and bureaucracy. The Central Committee deems this report to be correct. We request that you attach great importance to the various experiences set forth in the report and wage a resolute struggle against corruption, waste, and bureaucratic practices throughout this nationwide campaign to increase production and practice economy. Following the launch of this campaign and these struggles, each department is to dispatch the necessary inspection teams to examine conditions within its jurisdiction, summarize experience, and submit reports to higher authorities and to the Central Committee. Issued by the CPC Central Committee on November 20, 1951, based on Mao Zedong’s handwritten draft. Notes [1] Gao Gang was then Secretary of the Northeast Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

[2] In this report, Gao Gang outlined the experience gained in the Northeast region in conducting campaigns against corruption and degeneration, as well as against bureaucracy, primarily as follows: First, only by launching a mass democratic movement can the greatest results be achieved. Second, leading officials must take personal responsibility and direct the work themselves, engaging in candid and profound self-criticism regarding the major shortcomings within their respective units. If the first attempt is unsuccessful, they should try again until the masses are truly mobilized. Third, the struggle against corruption and degeneration is complex and acute. Those involved in corrupt practices often employ a variety of methods to resist and evade the thrust of the anti-corruption campaign. Therefore, leadership must firmly support the masses, strengthen ideological guidance, enhance their enthusiasm, and address their various concerns through explanation. Fourth, issues that have been clarified should be dealt with promptly. This will reassure those who have confessed, encourage others who are hesitant to come forward, facilitate the winning over of the masses, and isolate the wrongdoers. Fifth, as the campaign deepens and develops, and as the consciousness of the masses gradually rises, new problems and experiences should be continuously studied to advance the entire movement. Sixth, strong cadres should be organized into inspection teams to serve as assistants to the leadership, conducting thorough inspections, reporting conditions in a timely manner, and helping the leading bodies summarize experience and guide the campaign.