Comments on Inspecting and Improving the Work of Government Ministries [1] (February 13, 1953) To Comrades Liu, Zhou, Zhu, Gao, Deng Xiaoping, Deng Zihui, Bo Yibo, Zeng Shan, Jia Tuofu, Peng Zhen, Xi Zhongxun, Luo Ruiqing, and Hu Qiaomu [2]:

Please read this, then return it to An Ziwén [3]. The main shortcoming in most government departments is the lack of ideological and political leadership; in some departments, this deficiency has reached an alarming degree. This situation must be changed. The Central Committee will review each ministry one by one throughout this year. I request Comrade An Ziwén, leading the Party Committee of the Government, to select several departments for an initial review.

Mao Zedong February 13th Printed from the manuscript.

Notes [1] These comments were written on a report submitted by An Ziwén on February 12, 1953, to Mao Zedong and the Central Committee regarding problems existing in the work of the People’s Bank of China’s headquarters. [2] Liu refers to Liu Shaoqi. Zhou refers to Zhou Enlai. Zhu refers to Zhu De. Gao refers to Gao Gang, who at that time served as Chairman of the State Planning Commission of the Central People’s Government. Deng Xiaoping was then Vice Premier of the Administrative Council. Deng Zihui was Vice Chairman of the State Planning Commission of the Central People’s Government and Deputy Director of the Administrative Council’s Finance and Economic Commission. Bo Yibo was Deputy Director of the Administrative Council’s Finance and Economic Commission and Minister of Finance. Zeng Shan was Deputy Director of the Administrative Council’s Finance and Economic Commission and Minister of Commerce. Jia Tuofu was Deputy Director of the Administrative Council’s Finance and Economic Commission. Peng Zhen was Alternate Secretary of the CPC Central Secretariat and Deputy Director of the Administrative Council’s Political and Legal Affairs Commission. Xi Zhongxun was Deputy Director of the Administrative Council’s Culture and Education Commission. Luo Ruiqing was Deputy Director of the Administrative Council’s Political and Legal Affairs Commission and Minister of Public Security. Hu Qiaomu was Deputy Minister of the CPC Central Propaganda Department and Mao Zedong’s secretary. [3] An Ziwén was then Deputy Minister of the CPC Central Organization Department and Minister of Personnel of the Central People’s Government.