Annotation on the Report by the Central-South Bureau Requesting Instructions on Handling "Small Family Fortunes" in Government Offices (January 13, 1952)

Request Comrades Chen, Bo, and Li to discuss and reply, with Comrade Bo drafting the main response. This is not an issue limited to the Central-South region alone; it is a nationwide problem. A practical and feasible solution must be studied and devised, encompassing the Party, government, military, and civilian sectors. If it cannot be finalized promptly, delaying for a few weeks is permissible. Comrade Deng Zihui can be notified first by telephone.

Mao Zedong
January 13
Published based on the manuscript.

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**Notes**
〔1〕The request report from the Central-South Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, dated January 4, 1952, stated that "small family fortunes" in government offices were currently extremely widespread and involved substantial assets. All departments at the Central-South regional level had them, and in some cases, they existed at every level—department, division, and section. The largest ones held several billion yuan, while the smallest had several million yuan. Across the Central-South provinces, they existed at every level—provincial, prefectural, county, district, department, and office—with an estimated total of over two trillion yuan, possibly reaching three to four trillion yuan. These "small family fortunes" were generally used for investment in industry and handicrafts, subsidizing work-related needs, assisting certain cadres with special difficulties, and providing general welfare for office staff. However, a significant portion was also used for wasteful extravagance, particularly benefiting a small number of cadres. Moreover, office-run production was, in practice, linked to commercial speculation, opening wide the door to corruption and bribery. Judging from the numerous problems already exposed, "small family fortunes" brought more harm than benefit and needed to be systematically abolished.

〔2〕Chen refers to Chen Yun, then Vice Premier of the Government Administration Council and Director of the Financial and Economic Committee. Bo refers to Bo Yibo, then Deputy Director of the Financial and Economic Committee of the Government Administration Council and Director of the Central People's Government Austerity Inspection Committee. Li refers to Li Fuchun, then Deputy Director of the Financial and Economic Committee of the Government Administration Council and Deputy Director of the Central People's Government Austerity Inspection Committee.

〔3〕Deng Zihui, then Second Secretary of the Central-South Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Vice Chairman of the Central-South Military and Administrative Committee.