Comments on a Report Concerning Serious Cases of Bureaucracy, Commandism, and Violations of Law and Discipline
(April 11, 1953)

To the various ministries and commissions of the Central Committee, and to the Party Leading Groups of the Central People’s Government;
To the Central Bureaus, Sub-bureaus, and Provincial (Municipal) Committees:

We are hereby transmitting to you one copy of Comrade Qian Ying, Deputy Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, regarding serious instances of bureaucracy, commandism, and violations of law and discipline that have occurred in Guangdong Province. You are requested to review this document carefully and, in the course of our campaign against bureaucracy, promptly rectify any erroneous parts contained in your previously issued orders and directives. The intolerable practices detailed in the report—along with similar misconduct—are, with a few exceptions such as issues concerning salt workers, fishermen, and cotton cultivation which are confined primarily to Guangdong and several other provinces—of a widespread nature. They can be found in almost every province (municipality), differing only in the number of cases. Many of these incidents originate from the relevant departments of the Central People’s Government, followed by those of the provincial people’s governments and prefectural administrative offices. Yet we remain unaware of their occurrence; in some instances, even the ministers themselves are uninformed. This clearly demonstrates the grave nature of the problem. The Central Committee hereby instructs the Party Leading Groups of the Central People’s Government (with Comrade Qian Ying’s report to be distributed to all bureau and department directors), as well as the Central Bureaus, Sub-bureaus, and Provincial (Municipal) Committees, to undertake thorough investigations without delay and, within the shortest possible time, to correct all such intolerable errors.

The Central Committee of the Communist Party of China
April 11, 1953

Photo Materials
April 12, 1953: Mao Zedong examines ancient inscriptions at Zhongnanhai.

April 12, 1953: Mao Zedong and Li Min at a pavilion in Zhongnanhai.

Photo Materials
April 12, 1953: Mao Zedong and his daughter Li Min at Zhongnanhai.
April 15, 1953: Mao Zedong and Li Ne enjoy plum blossoms in the western suburbs of Beijing.