Directive Forwarding the Report of the Logistics Party Committee of the North China Military Region on the Three Antis
(1951, December 11)

(1) This is the second report reflecting the situation to the Central Committee under the call of... The first was the report by Xu Guangda and others from the Armored Command, which has been sent to you.

(2) In all departments of the military system, especially the logistics departments, the situation of corruption, waste, and bureaucracy is extremely serious. Many Party members, even leading cadres, are buried in routine work, with very underdeveloped political thought and extremely unsound inner-Party life. Consequently, many have fallen into the quagmire of corruption, waste, and bureaucracy, and many have an extremely strong departmentalism, caring only for the small picture and disregarding the larger picture. This situation must be changed. Party rectification and style rectification must be launched throughout the entire military system, with particular emphasis on the logistics departments, waging a serious struggle against corruption, waste, and bureaucracy, and calling on all officers and soldiers to participate in this struggle.

Mao Zedong
December 11, 1951

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Letter to Mao Zelian and Mao Yuansong[I]
(December 11, 1951)

Zelian, Yuansong:

Your letter has been received.

Aunt Wei Sheng 6[2] and Zelian should neither come to Beijing nor stay too long in Changsha. It is best to return to Shaoshan as soon as the medical treatment is finished. The People’s Government has now decided on cutting back and practising economy, and emphasizes the fight against waste, so do not come to Beijing, and do not stay too long in Changsha.

Zelian’s family situation is difficult; we will try to help a little when an opportunity arises in the future. For now, do not depend on it.
Yuanfo works in a printing plant and can pursue his studies in his spare time.
Please send my regards to Aunt Six!
Wishing you all well!

Mao Zedong
December 11

Directive on the Self-Criticism Report of the Hubei Provincial Party Committee on Violating the Provisional Regulations on Agricultural Tax in the Newly Liberated Areas
(December 12, 1951)

To be read by Zhou, Chen, Bo, Qiao, and Lin Biao.

(1) This report[1] is addressed to the Central-South Bureau with notification to the Central Committee. Whether the Central Committee should reply to it[2] directly, or wait until the Central-South Bureau has expressed its views before the Central Committee replies, is to be decided by Chen and Bo; (2) As for the matter concerning the People’s Daily[3], Qiao is requested to investigate, determine a course of action, and report to me.

Mao Zedong
December 12

--- Notes

[I] Mao Zelian, Mao Zedong’s cousin. Mao Yuansong, Mao Zedong’s distant nephew.
[2] Aunt Wei Sheng 6, Mao Zelian’s mother.


[1] Refers to the self-criticism report of the Hubei Provincial Committee of the CPC, dated November 30, 1951, on violating the Provisional Regulations on Agricultural Tax in the Newly Liberated Areas issued by the Central People’s Government, sent to the Central-South Bureau with notification to the Central Committee and forwarded to Mao Zedong.
[2] This statement by Mao Zedong refers to the draft reply telegram prepared by the Central Committee in response to the self-criticism report of the Hubei Provincial Committee. When reviewing this draft reply telegram, Mao Zedong also added at the end the sentence: “Please instruct the Changjiang Daily and the Hubei Daily to reprint it. This debate is thus concluded.”
[3] The Hubei Provincial Committee said in its self-criticism report: “On November 6, the economic page of the People’s Daily raised a criticism against the Provincial Committee, which was stern, just, and fair. We are deeply grateful and have already sent a written self-criticism for open self-examination. But half a month has passed and it has not been published. We do not know if there is anything improper in this self-criticism, and we hope to be advised.” Beside the sentence “raised a criticism against the Provincial Committee” in the report, Hu Qiaomu noted: “This criticism was published by the People’s Daily after Comrade Yibo reached consensus in discussion with Comrade Zihui and informed them.” Beside the sentence “have already sent a written self-criticism,” Hu Qiaomu also noted: “This self-criticism was not received until November 25. It was returned after Comrade Yibo reviewed it on the 27th, and on the 29th it was published in full as originally submitted in the Party Life section on page three of the People’s Daily.”
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