Telegram to Chen Yi [1] Regarding Approval of Combining the Three-Anti Campaign with Reorganization Work (December 28, 1951) Comrade Chen Yi, with copies to all Major Military Regions, the Chinese People’s Volunteers, and the Central Bureaus: Your long telegram of December 25 [2] and your short telegram of December 26 [3] have both been read and are most satisfactory. Please proceed accordingly at once. Our policy is that the campaign against corruption, waste, and bureaucracy must be closely integrated with the reorganization work, and we should strive to complete the first phase of reorganization by the end of March. With firm leadership and effective coordination, this goal is achievable. However, if the Three-Anti Campaign were to impede the reorganization, it would be preferable to postpone the latter by a few days—say, half a month—rather than allow personnel undergoing reorganization to enter civilian life or attend schools imbued with the spirit of corruption, waste, and bureaucracy. On this point, Comrade Chen Yi has expressed himself very clearly. The North China and Northwest Military Regions, as well as the South China Military Region and the Guangxi Military Region, have all reported that they are proceeding in this manner. Comrades Li Da and Wang Xinting [4] came to Beijing yesterday to report in person; the Southwest Military Region is also following this approach. I urge the Central-South Military Region to pay close attention to this matter and to ensure that reorganization and the Three-Anti Campaign are carried out in tandem, neither being neglected. Should any subordinate military region remain unclear on this point, you must issue explicit and resolute instructions without fail. This is of the utmost importance. Mao Zedong December 28 Based on the manuscript.

Notes [1] Chen Yi was then Commander of the East China Military Region of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. [2] Refers to Chen Yi’s report dated December 25, 1951, addressed to Mao Zedong and copied to the Central Military Commission, the General Political Department, and the East China Bureau, concerning the East China Military Region’s senior officers’ meeting resolution on reorganization, demobilization, and the implementation plan for troop affairs in 1952. [3] Refers to Chen Yi’s telegram to Mao Zedong dated December 26, 1951. The telegram expressed firm support for the directive to conduct a campaign against corruption, waste, and bureaucracy prior to reorganization, and pointed out that certain units had recently been found to be proceeding with reorganization without first combating corruption, boldly violating discipline and dividing up property. Such individuals, carrying with them habits of waste and bureaucracy—and even corruption—when they transferred to civilian posts would inevitably cause great political losses and put us at a disadvantage. The East China forces planned to focus primarily on the anti-corruption and anti-waste drive in January, combining it with reorganization; in February and March, reorganization would take precedence, supplemented by continued efforts against corruption and waste; and after March, the anti-corruption and anti-waste campaign would be deepened to encompass the establishment of financial and economic management systems. All of this was to be done while ensuring that the reorganization of 400,000 to 450,000 personnel by the end of March would not be affected. [4] Li Da was then Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Southwest Military Region of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army. Wang Xinting was then Deputy Director of the Political Department of the Southwest Military Region.