Why did the Cultural Revolution create bureaucratic timidity in China?

The Cultural Revolution created bureaucratic timidity in China because officials at all levels of the political system learned that aggressively implementing government policies could later jeopardize their careers and safety.12

During this period, the political landscape was defined by instability and frequent, radical shifts in economic policy. Officials observed that those who had been zealous in carrying out previous directives were often targeted, purged, or humiliated when political winds changed. Consequently, to avoid becoming victims of future political purges, bureaucrats became hesitant to take initiative or act decisively, leading to a pervasive culture of caution and inaction within the government.132