Comments on the Report on the Three-Anti Campaign

(January 22, 1952)

To the major military regions, the Chinese People's Volunteers, and for notification to all central bureaus:

(1) The January 20 report from the North China Military Region[1] is good. This represents the opinion of the Central Committee. Please act in accordance with it uniformly. (2) The Three-Anti Campaign must be carried out thoroughly; reorganization shall only proceed after its completion. Those who have conscientiously and properly completed the Three-Anti Campaign by February 10 and have obtained approval from their respective major military regions may enter reorganization on February 11. Otherwise, reorganization shall not be permitted under any circumstances. (3) Please pay attention to striking at the big tigers.

Mao Zedong
January 22

--- Notes

[1] Refers to the report of the CPC North China Military Region Committee on the Three-Anti Campaign, dated January 20, 1952, submitted to Mao Zedong and copied to the General Political Department of the Military Commission and the North China Bureau. The report analyzed the situation in the preceding phase of the Three-Anti Campaign and proposed the following deployment for concentrating forces to catch big tigers in the next phase: (1) Politically extricate a portion of people. Distinguish between the boundaries of corruption and waste, allowing some leading cadres to step down so as to direct operations; remove the label of corruption from some individuals involved in minor instances of not distinguishing between public and private interests or taking small advantages; for those who voluntarily confess, are determined to repent, make restitution as appropriate, and whose embezzled amount is below 10 million yuan with circumstances not serious, reduce or exempt them from criminal punishment. (2) Assign tasks. Each unit shall propose, through self-reporting and public discussion, the number of people to be targeted for embezzlement of 10 million yuan or more within one week, and strive to exceed this target. (3) Stipulate tactics. Leading bodies shall study key persons and key matters to be well-informed, then, through mass movements, examine accounts, receipts, business firms, and connections, pursue and track down, and attack from both within and without to achieve total annihilation. (4) Enforce strict discipline; do not withdraw troops until complete victory is won. The conclusion of the campaign at the provincial military district level must be approved by the provincial party committee and the North China Military Region; the conclusion of the campaign at the military sub-district level must be approved by the prefectural party committee and the provincial military district.