Central Directive Accompanying Xi Zhongxun’s Report〔1〕 on the Cultural Committee Sub-Party Group’s Arrangements for the Campaign Against Bureaucracy (March 3, 1953) To all departments of the CPC Central Committee and the CMC, and to the Party Groups of the various organs of the Central People’s Government: Comrade Xi Zhongxun’s report〔2〕 is very good. It is now circulated to you for reference in your ongoing struggle against bureaucracy. Printed on March 3 by the CPC Central Committee, based on Mao Zedong’s handwritten draft.

Notes 〔〕 Xi Zhongxun was at that time Minister of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee and Deputy Director of the Cultural and Educational Commission of the State Council.

〔2〕 Refers to Xi Zhongxun’s report dated March 2, 1953, addressed to Mao Zedong and the CPC Central Committee, concerning the Cultural Committee Sub-Party Group’s arrangements for the campaign against bureaucracy. The report states that bureaucratic practices are extremely widespread and serious among cultural and educational organs at the central level and among leading cadres. The main problems are as follows: First, excessive and hasty demands from above compel subordinate units to resort to coercive orders and formalism. For example, in the campaign to eradicate illiteracy, there was once an ambition to complete the nationwide task within a few years. Because the plan was set too high and teaching methods were simply copied from the military—employing blitz campaigns—the result was such phenomena as fraudulent graduation certificates. Similarly, in the reform of higher education, overly rapid implementation led to widespread tension across many institutions: professors were unable to keep up, students could not absorb the material, and their physical health suffered. Second, organizational structures and personnel in some areas require adjustment. For instance, certain research institutes have a complex mix of staff and numerous competing lines of work, with very weak Party leadership; only after organizational rectification can normal research activities be carried out. Third, disorder and low efficiency are prevalent within government organs. Instances of people who merely “eat their fill all day” without doing any real work remain relatively rare; more often what we see is either hardworking but bureaucratic behavior or muddle-headed, confused bureaucracy. In light of these problems, our basic requirement in combating bureaucracy is to strengthen political and ideological leadership, change working styles, and improve efficiency. The specific measures are as follows: First, integrate the campaign against bureaucracy with current practical tasks; avoid adopting a scorched-earth approach, and instead proceed gradually and steadily. Second, analyze bureaucratic practices carefully, focusing on concrete issues and individuals, and resolve them truthfully and pragmatically. Third, place primary emphasis on the Party itself: Party members and cadres should engage in more self-criticism and refrain from shifting blame onto others. Fourth, while opposing bureaucracy, simultaneously promote and implement a style of work characterized by practical inquiry and close ties with the masses, paying attention to proper division of labor, establishing a core leadership team, and putting in place necessary working systems.