(December 13, 1951)

[I]
In its report, the North China Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China analyzed the phenomena of corruption and waste within the Party, government, and military systems, as well as in factories, mines, and enterprises in North China. It pointed out that the severity of corruption and waste stems from two main causes: first, our state and economic organs contain a large number of old personnel inherited from the bureaucratic apparatus of the Kuomintang; second, many veteran cadres, after the victory of the revolution, have been influenced by bourgeois ideology and work styles, fostering hedonistic thinking and engaging in serious acts of corruption and waste, with Zhang Zishan and Liu Qingshan being among the most prominent examples. Even worse, some leading organs and leaders have adopted a vulgar, accommodating, and tolerant attitude toward such corruption and waste, and in certain units and departments, unhealthy tendencies have even overwhelmed upright practices. The report states that in order to thoroughly eradicate serious corruption and waste, it is necessary to launch, on a grand scale and with resolute and swift action, a mass movement against corruption, waste, and bureaucracy that encompasses both inside and outside the Party, from top to bottom, throughout the entire region. To this end, it was decided:
1. First, through Party congresses at all levels and various cadre meetings, convey and mobilize within the Party and in all government, economic, and military organs, explaining the principles and clarifying the policies. Then, present reports to consultative committees and people's congresses of all circles, conduct mobilization, and make decisions, so as to effectively rally the broad masses to assist the Party and government in carrying out this struggle, exposing and reporting corrupt criminals.
2. To properly lead this large-scale mass movement, economy and inspection committees comprising responsible cadres and activists from both inside and outside the Party must be established at all levels. Responsible comrades of Party committees must participate, provide direct leadership, with top leaders assuming responsibility and personally guiding the effort.
3. All erroneous ideas hindering the development of the anti-corruption movement should be criticized, corrected, and refuted through the method of rectification study.
4. This movement must be universally carried out, with no organ or individual exempted. However, in practical work, it is essential to skillfully focus on key areas, avoid spreading efforts evenly, act with resolute and swift determination, and also conduct careful analysis.

Volume 31 of the Complete Works of Mao Zedong

To all central bureaus, and forward to sub-bureaus and Party committees of provinces, municipalities, and regions; to all major military regions and the Party committee of the Volunteer Army:
(1) The Central Committee approves the North China Bureau's report of December 12 on unifying the launch of the anti-corruption campaign across Party, government, and military departments in North China.

--- Notes

Central Committee's Comments Transmitting the North China Bureau's Report on Unifying the Launch of the Three-Anti Struggle Across Party, Government, and Military Departments [1]