Additions Written on the Draft Reply from the Central Committee to Deng Xiaoping (March 7, 1952)

(2) All Central Bureaus are requested to pay serious attention to resolving the very same problems raised in Comrade Deng Xiaoping’s telegram. Printed from Mao Zedong’s manuscript.

Notes [1] Deng Xiaoping was then First Secretary of the Southwest Bureau of the CPC Central Committee. [ ] In his telegram of February 22, 1952, addressed to Mao Zedong, the Central Committee, and also to Chen Yun, Bo Yibo, and Li Fuchun, Deng Xiaoping pointed out that, following the launch of the Three-Anti and Five-Anti Campaigns, a number of new problems had emerged. Externally, the most significant development was a temporary but marked stagnation in industry and commerce: trade volumes had shrunk considerably, tax revenues had fallen sharply, many private factories were idle, and large numbers of construction workers had lost their jobs. This industrial and commercial standstill adversely affected the livelihoods of a vast segment of the urban poor, who had begun to express dissatisfaction with the Three-Anti and Five-Anti Campaigns. Moreover, enemy agents were taking advantage of the situation to stir up trouble. If these difficulties were not promptly addressed, we would be placed on the defensive and the further advancement of the Five-Anti Campaign could even be jeopardized. Internally, the main issue was the collapse of certain financial and economic organs. Previously, many tasks had been entrusted to retained personnel or newly recruited intellectuals; however, after the Three-Anti Campaign, a large number of them would no longer be fit for continued service, while at present there was no one immediately available to take over their duties. At the same time, as a result of the Five-Anti Campaign, some privately owned enterprises that had been confiscated or subjected to fines and compensation would require officials to assume management. Currently, there is an acute shortage of qualified cadres. Unless this problem is resolved, the state’s financial and economic agencies will find it extremely difficult to cope with the situation.