(October 24, 1952)
To all Central Bureaus and Sub-bureaus, with copy to the Party Committees of Provinces (Autonomous Regions) and Municipalities:
(1) Approve the report submitted by the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection to the CPC Central Committee on October 18, 1952 (I);
(2) Forward this report to Party committees at all levels and their respective discipline inspection commissions for compliance.
This is the report from the CPC Central Commission for Discipline Inspection to Mao Zedong and the CPC Central Committee concerning experience in handling party disciplinary cases and several points of view on future work related to discipline inspection. The report states that, in order to implement the Central Committee’s policy of handling party disciplinary matters conscientiously, seriously, and prudently, it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive review of cases that have already been dealt with. Such reviews should be focused and centered on ascertaining the facts. In handling party disciplinary cases and conducting these reviews, the following principles should be observed:
First, the severity of the offense committed by the party member, together with his or her understanding of the mistake and attitude toward correcting it, shall serve as the basis for examining and determining the appropriate level of disciplinary sanction. Second, the nature of the issue must be clearly defined, distinguishing right from wrong; ambiguous or vague judgments and the indiscriminate application of labels should be opposed. Third, effective measures of control should be adopted in the handling process, including the establishment of uniform standards for disciplinary sanctions, the provision for the individual concerned to present a defense, and the observance of all requisite procedures.
The report further notes that, drawing on the experience gained in Central China in handling cases such as that of Ji Kaifu, the key to launching mass campaigns for discipline inspection lies in broadly promoting democratic movements both within and outside the Party, encouraging criticism from the bottom up, and effectively combating bureaucratism. To this end, Party committees at all levels and their discipline inspection commissions should diligently and promptly address letters received from party members and the general public, and support the efforts of Party members and non-Party people alike to combat violations of law and discipline by cadres. Any instances of delaying or ignoring correspondence, going through the motions, suppressing democracy, or retaliating against those who file complaints must be promptly investigated and, depending on the circumstances, met with criticism or disciplinary action. At the same time, under the leadership and support of the Party committees, the various discipline inspection commissions are required, through the exposure and disposition of typical cases, to launch, over a specified period, mass campaigns for discipline inspection primarily aimed at combating particular forms of disciplinary misconduct.

Implement accordingly; (3) This report may be published in Party publications.
The Central Committee
October 24th
On October 25, 1952, Mao Zedong inspected the Port of Tianjin.