Critique of the Report on Unifying the Launch of the Three-Anti Struggle[1]
(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 the North China region. It pointed out that the seriousness of corruption and waste is due, first, to the fact that in our state and economic organs there are large numbers of old personnel taken over from the bureaucratic organs of the Kuomintang, and second, to the fact that after the victory of the revolution, not a few veteran cadres have been influenced by bourgeois ideas and styles, fostering hedonistic thinking and committing serious acts of corruption and waste, with Zhang Zishan and Liu Qingshan being among the most striking examples. What is still worse is that some leading organs and leaders have adopted a vulgar, accommodating, and tolerant attitude toward such corruption and waste, and in certain units and departments, evil trends have even overwhelmed healthy trends. The report stated that in order to thoroughly eradicate the serious corruption and waste, it is necessary to launch, on a grand scale and with thunderous momentum, a mass movement against corruption, waste, and bureaucracy throughout the whole region, encompassing both inside and outside the Party and all levels from top to bottom. To this end, it was decided:

First, communicate and mobilize through Party congresses at all levels and various cadres’ meetings, within the Party and in all government, economic, and military organs, explaining the guiding principles and clarifying the policies. Then present reports to the consultative committees and people’s congresses of all circles, carry out mobilization, and adopt resolutions, so as to powerfully arouse the broad masses to help the Party and the government unfold this struggle, exposing and reporting corrupt criminals.

Second, to properly lead this large-scale mass movement, economy and simplification inspection committees must be established at all levels, including responsible cadres and activists from both inside and outside the Party. Leading comrades of Party committees must personally participate, exercise direct leadership, assume responsibility as heads, and provide hands-on guidance.

Third, all erroneous ideas obstructing the anti-corruption movement should be criticized, corrected, and refuted through the method of rectification study.

Fourth, this movement must be carried out universally, with no organ or individual being an exception. However, in practical work, one must be adept at grasping key points, avoid spreading efforts evenly, and combine thunderous momentum with careful analysis.